Hi Jack
I know what you say is the "traditional position" - but the question we
asking without wanting to be sucked into a predefined system is "why do we
need Christ to keep the law for us?"
1. We are Gentile believers and were never subject to it
2. The references to a righteousness that is apart from the law
Blessings
Neil
-----Original Message-----
From: JACKJEFF@... [mailto:JACKJEFF@...]
Sent: 26 August 2004 00:34
To: soundofgrace@...
Subject: [soundofgrace] Re: Active obedience of Christ
JGR:
<< If the perfect righteousness of Christ earned by keeping the Law is
imputed to us then why would we need a sacrifice for sin since we would
already be accounted as perfectly righteous? >>
I have been away for awhile, and I know this e-mail is almost 3 weeks old,
but would like to enter my 2 cents worth.
The reason both Christ's obedient life and obedient death, both His earned
righteousness under the Law, and His becoming a curse under the Law were
necessary is due to the very nature and contents of the Law itself. The Law
does not just contain commandments, nor does it just contain sanctions
(penalties). It contains both. The satisfaction of God under the Law
requires both obedience to its commands, and the imposition of sanctions for
disobedience to those commands. The mere payment of the penalty does not
absolve from further obedience. There is both Gerizim and Ebal, blessings
and cursings. Christ did not just become a curse for us. He also procured
blessing by rendering substitutionary obedience, thus absolving all of His
people from Law righteousness by procuring it on their behalf. He did not
just assume our sanctions, but in this, His death, He accomplished what was
the final act in an incarnate life which ensured our full justification. It
is all of a piece. Every aspect of it was necessary.
Suggestion: If the Law has been taken out of the way without full obedience
being rendered, is not the charge of "antinomian" in order?
"It wonders me", too, John!
Soli Deo Gloria,
John T. "Jack" Jeffery