He hath made him to be sin for us who knew no sin’
This has no ground in scripture. ‘He hath made him to be sin for us who knew no sin’ (2 Cor 5:21). It is terrible to confuse the most wonderful, act of love of that blessed One – the sufferings and death of Christ, His bearing God’s wrath, His His soul Made an offering for sin, with any thought of His proving Himself sinless during His life on earth. Good men, such as the editor of the Christian Examiner (maybe the Unitarian James Walker – 1794-1874) often carried rationalist views.
This is a addition itemof a paper by John Nelson Darby.
The Pauline Doctrine of the Righteousness of Faith
Many reformers, puritans and theologians seem to believe that Christ makes up for our defects, in effect saying that Christ kept the law for us. But the WORD OF GOD is clear, and tells me that if we are justified by law we are fallen from grace (see Gal 5:4). If Christ kept the law for us, and righteousness imputed to us because of that, we are justified by law. Of course the Lord kept the law, but where in scripture do we find that He kept it for us? According to the WORD OF GOD this doctrine is FALSE, it is legal fiction.
In 1862 J N Darby wrote to the Christian Examiner about an article in the British and Foreign Evangelical Review. Teaching which was very prevalent in the established churches was that the Lord had fulfilled the law on our behalf. Looking at various current sermons and writings on the internet, it would appear that this error is still held by many.
The Truth is needed to keep souls in progress and subjection to God. Scripture, the WORD OF GOD, must have its authority. The Holy Spirit, the Comforter, forms the unity of Christ’s body on earth and dwells in the believer. The Lord is about to take the saints to Himself, and then appear with them, his Church, to judge the world and reign for 1000 years. These teachings will protect us from some of the unscriptural and erroneous doctrine that abounds in Christendom – in Romanism, Protestantism and even amongst evangelicals.
What is Righteousness, and what was the Law?
Righteousness is living as we ought and fulfilling our relationships rightly towards others and towards God. When it says, ‘The righteous Lord loveth righteousness’ (Psalm 11:7) or, ‘Grace might reign through righteousness’ (Rom 5:21) the word is used abstractedly; when it says, ‘the righteousness of God’ or ‘the righteousness of faith’ (Rom 10:3,6), the expression is more specific. We ought to love God with all our heart; we ought to love our neighbour as ourselves. That is the law in its clearest terms. It would also have been our righteousness had we kept it. But as sinners, we did not, nor could not keep the law. And since we have a conscience, the sense of good and evil we know we are guilty, unrighteous and lawless.
Did the Lord keep the Law for us?
My righteousness under the law is absolutely zero. In God’s sight, my efforts are evil and nothing else. Therefore Christ died for me. I am born again, and I receive Him as eternal life. Does Christ make up for defects in my righteousness? What defects? Is my righteousness patched up by Christ’s acts, when I have acted after the flesh? Is that what is meant by Christ being made unto us righteousness? Of course not.
Many reformers, puritans and theologians seem to believe this, in effect saying that Christ kept the law for us. But the WORD OF GOD is clear, and tells me that if we are justified by law we are fallen from grace (see Gal 5:4). If Christ kept the law for us, and righteousness imputed to us because of that, we are justified by law. Of course the Lord kept the law, but where in scripture do we find that He kept it for us? According to the WORD OF GOD this doctrine is FALSE, it is legal fiction.
We are accounted, imputed or reckoned (the same word in Greek λογισθῆναι/ logisthēnai/Strong 3049) righteous (See Rom 4:11). Christ has born the sin of each of us, and put it away. This is no fiction: sin has been dealt with.
Applying the Law to a Child of Adam
Those going on with this error pretend that the defects of the old man are somehow made good, so that man, a child of Adam, might appear righteousness before God. He ought to walk in accordance with the law and according to this doctrine, when we fail Christ makes our defects good. That is not Christianity.
This false doctrine leads to an absurdity. It confuses practical sanctification, with righteousness before God. It makes Christ establish our standing as alive before God in the old man.
The truth is that the life which we receive is Christ. This does not make my flesh good. As a child of Adam, there is no good in me. Christ died to put away my sin, so I reckon myself dead, my flesh condemned. I find myself in Christ, Christ being in me. I have put on the new man, and that is what I am before God. In that Christ died, He died unto sin once; in that He lives, He lives unto God (See Rom 6:10). ‘I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me’ (Gal 2:19-20). I am dead to law by the body of Christ (See Rom 7:4).
What Sort of Law or Righteousness?
These people measure the righteousness of God and divine justice by the law. But they contradict themselves. On one side righteousness is said to be of the law, but at the same time righteousness is a gift’ (See Rom 5:17).
It is nonsense to say that we are living by a personal law. Indeed they even talk about a person redeeming him/herself. Grace, not law, is towards a sinner. Law does not forgive, it condemns. Satan’s deception is to set aside Christ’s death. He died that we might live, our sin being atoned for by Him.
They might cite James. But James merely said ‘faith without works is dead’ (James 2:20). That cannot be as a result of Christs’s law-keeping.
Legal Righteousness
Some would give the impression of a God who is incensed (or vengeful or full of wrath) at our disobeying the law, but at the same time, a God who acts in grace rather than judgment. This is the doctrine of legal righteousness. This might appear plausible, but it destroys the thought of a righteous God who reconciles us to Himself and justifies us. God is just in justifying. his is the essence of the gospel.
We know who bore the wrath for us. Let us never forget the cross, the cup that Jesus had to drink, His sweat in Gethsemane, His being made sin, and crying ‘My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?’ (Mark 15:34). He was perfectly obedient.
Conclusion
But how can we have righteousness? We need a new righteousness, by faith, fit for the throne of God. If we are to be accepted, the righteousness must meet all that God is His own infinite excellency.
Christ revealed God’s nature, and glorified Him when He was made sin for us. Hence we are made the righteousness of God in Him. Christ finished the work His Father gave Him to do. Now the ground of our acceptance and righteousness, is complete. Christ becomes our life.
The blood of the unblemished heifer, represents Christ who knew no sin. The blood was sprinkled before the tabernacle (the place of communion) seven times. But the body of the heifer was reduced to ashes. This shows that we still have to understand the seriousness of sin, and what the Lord had to bear.
In Numbers 19 we learn about being free of defilement. We are in the world but not of it – we belong in the sanctuary. If we come into contact with evil, a remedy is required, otherwise communion will be hindered.
The blood of the unblemished heifer, represents Christ who knew no sin. The blood was sprinkled before the tabernacle (the place of communion) seven times. But the body of the heifer was reduced to ashes. This shows that we still have to understand the seriousness of sin, and what the Lord had to bear.
The person who had been defiled had to wait seven days for communion to be restored fully. He had to gather up the ashes – making him realise the horror of sin. In grace we get a sense of God’s perfect holiness that necessitated the sacrifice. We had been careless, and found ourselves outside of God’s presence. Now communion was restored.
This is true greatness – to serve unnoticed,
And work unseen.
Learn to grapple with souls
Aim at the conscience, Exalt Christ.
Use a sharp knife with yourself,
Say little, Serve all, Pass on.
This is true greatness – to serve unnoticed,
And work unseen.
Oh, the joy of having nothing, and being nothing,
Seeing nothing but a living Christ in glory,
And being careful for nothing
But His interests down here!
The idea of a church transcending dispensations is false. There was no collective expression of faith until the establishment of the Jewish nation, and persons were in that by birth and not faith. It was not faith that united the Jews, it was their descent from Jacob. Now we see this idea being introduced into Christianity, Salvation is not the Church, nor the Church salvation.
An expression that was current in Mr Darby’s time was ‘Jewish church’. I googled the expression, and the only relevant information was on Jews in the church. So whilst the error is not widespread now (except in the way that public Christianity has been judaised), a short paraphrase of part of Darby’s paper on ‘Law’ would be useful.
Start with the truth. The Church, the body of believers, never existed till the Holy Spirit came forty days after Christ’s ascension. It could not exist till its Head, had been exalted as Man having accomplished redemption. When exalted, God ‘gave Him to be Head over all things to the Church, the fulness of Him who filleth all in all’. (Eph 1:22-23.) He has made both [Jew and gentile] into one new man, a habitation of God in the Spirit (see Eph 2:14-22). Only now is the church known to the principalities and powers [i.e. angels][*] and they see the manifold wisdom of God. Before then, men were not built together for a habitation of God through the Spirit. The entity did not exist.
The idea of a church transcending dispensations is false. There was no collective expression of faith until the establishment of the Jewish nation, and persons were in that by birth and not faith. It was not faith that united the Jews, it was their descent from Jacob. Physical circumcision was the witness to a (male) person’s position. Now we see this idea being introduced into Christianity, with baptism replacing circumcision. Salvation is not the Church, nor the Church salvation. Conscience, faith and consequently salvation and sonship are all individual. The church is formed of those who have been saved, those with faith. They are baptised by one Spirit into one body. ‘The Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved’ (Acts 2:47). That is how the church started.
The establishment of a human priesthood, as a class distinct from all other Christians, is a denial of the truth of Christianity. According to the New Testament, all Christians are priests: they offer prayer and praise to God
The establishment of a human priesthood, as a class distinct from all other Christians, is a denial of the truth of Christianity. According to the New Testament, all Christians are priests: they offer prayer and praise to God..
In the New Testament we have:
Jewish priests
The pagan priest of Jupiter
Melchisedec (contemporary with Abraham)
Christ Himself as the Great High Priest
There are absolutely no references to certain Christians having the distinction of being priests. Rather all Christians are priests. A distinct class of priests among Christians on earth is totally foreign to the New Testament. All Christians belong to a holy and royal priesthood – anything else is false and unscriptural.
See the following scriptures:
Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ (1 Peter 2:5)
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light (1 Peter 2:9)
Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us kings and priests to God and his Father (Rev 1:5-6)
By him [Jesus] therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving praise to his name (Heb 13:15) [The word ‘priest’ is not used here, but only priests offer sacrifices].
Christ is the Great High Priest; all Christians are priests. In the old system priests offered gifts and sacrifices for sins on behalf of the people who were not allowed to approach the altar and do so. This was, of course, before Christ’s own sacrifice on the cross. Christianity is founded on the perfect sacrifice of Christ, the value and efficacy of which are eternal. Hebrews emphasises that, as Christ’s work was once and for all, there cannot remain any further sacrifice for sins (see Heb 10:26).
In the Jewish tabernacle there were two veils. Common people could enter neither. Priests could enter the first to offer incense, but the veil into the Holy of Holies, the high priest entered alone once a year, with the blood of propitiation to put upon the mercy seat. Thus God was hidden within the veil. The ordinary worshipper could not approach God directly to offer his gifts or sacrifices. The priest received the them, and he offered them. God dwelt in thick darkness.
Christianity is the complete opposite of all this. The veil was rent from the top to the bottom (see Mark 15:38); God has revealed Himself. Instead of our not being able to approach God, God has approached us. This even applied to the chief of sinners (Paul). Now,
The grace of God which bringeth salvation hath appeared. (Titus 2:11)
The darkness is past, and the true light now shineth (1 John 2:8).
God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not imputing their trespasses to them. (2 Cor 5:19)
The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us (John 1:14).
In him [Christ] was life, and the life was the light of men (John 1:4).
God hath given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life (1 John 5:12).
By this we deduce that, when a Christian assumes the exclusive authority to conduct a communion service or mass, he is hanging on to the old Jewish order. He is, in effect, saying, that the ordinary person cannot approach personally, but must get an ordained church officer to approach for him. This is a denial of the whole efficacy of Christianity, and the place in which all Christians are set.
But the light of God has shone forth, and it is for me to walk in the light as he [God] is in the light (1 John 1:7). I approach through the blood of Christ, the light showing me that I am perfectly clean. If I require another go into Gods presence on my behalf, I must not be regarding myself as clean. But I am clean, because of Christ’s work. I am therefore a priest, and am to offer praise, thanks and worship to God myself. And I can do it at any time.
People speak about a ‘moral law’, but they have only a vague idea of what is meant by the expression. They say, ‘Live by the ten commandments’ or, ‘Do to others what you would have them do to you’ (Matt 7:12 NIV). They quote scripture, but in so doing put themselves and others under bondage. That is not Christianity. The Christian has been delivered from the law.
There are expressions which are used by Christians, which as well as being unscriptural, convey a meaning which is also contrary to the truth as presented in scripture. One of these is ‘moral law’.
People speak about a ‘moral law’, but they have only a vague idea of what is meant by the expression. They say, ‘Live by the ten commandments’ or, ‘Do to others what you would have them do to you’ (Matt 7:12 NIV). They quote scripture, but in so doing put themselves and others under bondage. That is not Christianity. The Christian has been delivered from the law.
Christians under a so-called ‘moral law’ have set aside Paul’s teaching. They show a semblance of piety, but are effectively seeking to be justified by works. Even if the works were good ones, they are under a curse. (see Gal 3:10). A Christian, being of a fallen race, finds himself ruined by the law, deceived by it to his own sorrow. The law knows no mercy. He is spiritually dead.
Paul found that experimentally. Paul saw that the law condemned lust. So, because he lusted he was self-condemned. Lust was in his nature. The law claimed absolute obedience to God, but he found he did not have the power to keep it. He wanted to do what was right but couldn’t. In short, he coveted, and thus broke the law. What was ordained to life, he found to be to death (see Rom 7:10).
Christ and the Law
God gave the promise to Abraham. The law was given later. If the law could have given life, righteousness could have been by the law. But the law did not give either the motive or the power to do right. That is why in Galatians the law is treated as a schoolmaster. The law condemns sins. More than that, it condemns sin.
In Romans 7 Paul insisted that one cannot have two husbands at the same time. A Christian cannot cannot be under obligation to both Christ and the law. A Christian is ‘dead to the law by the body of Christ’ (Rom 7:4). If he (or she) is dead, he is no longer under the law. , ‘Sin shall not have dominion over you, because ye are not under the law, but under grace’ (Rom 6:14).
Somebody might say, ‘Yes; but the flesh is still there, so I need the law, not to put away sin, but that it might not have dominion.’ That is false – The Christian is to be consciously dead in Christ. If a person is dead, he is beyond the reach of law by death. The Christian has died with Christ and is resurrection: he is in newness of life – in Christ, not Adam.
I am ‘dead to the law by the body of Christ’ (Rom 7:4). The death that the law sentenced me to in my conscience has fallen on another — Christ. Otherwise I would have been left in everlasting misery. But in love Christ put Himself in my place. Now I am justified and have a right to reckon myself dead, because Christ has died and has risen again. I have received Him into my heart as life: He is really my life.
Godliness is walking with a risen Christ – that is Christian life. The measure of that walk is Christ, and nothing else.
The Divine Law
A true believer always holds difference between right and wrong, to be an immovable and fixed moral foundation. It is revealed by God in His word.
The Lord said ‘Keep my commandments’ (John 15:10) and John wrote ‘This is love, that we keep His commandments’ (1 John 5:2) . Some are afraid of the word ‘commandment’, as if it would weaken the ideas of love, grace and new creation. But keeping the commandments and obeying one we love is the proof of our love. Christ Himself said, ‘I love the Father, and as the Father hath given me commandment, so I do.’ (John 14:31). His highest act of love, in dying for us on the cross, was His highest act of obedience.
The Spirit will produce fruits against which there is no law.
‘But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law’ (Gal 5:22-23.
‘Be ye therefore imitators of God, as beloved children, and walk in love’ (Eph 5:1-2 Darby).
‘Put on therefore, as [the] elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, longsuffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any should have a complaint against any; even as the Christ has forgiven you, so also do ye. And to all these add love, which is the bond of perfectness’ (Col 3:12-14 Darby).
A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. (John 13:34)
SING without ceasing, sing
The Saviour’s present grace;
How all things shine
In light divine
For those who’ve seen His face.
SING without ceasing, sing
The Saviour’s present grace;
How all things shine
In light divine
For those who’ve seen His face.
He’s gone within the veil,
For us that place He’s won;
In Him we stand,
A heavenly band,
Where He Himself is gone.
There all’s unsullied light;
My heart lets in its rays,
And heavenly light
Makes all things bright,
Seen in that blissful gaze.
Such here on earth I am,
Though I in weakness roam;
My place on high,
God’s Self so nigh,
His presence is my home.
My heart is filled with bliss –
Heaven’s own eternal joys;
My soul at rest,
Of peace possessed,
That world its strength employs.
Thus, in divine delight
Of love so richly known,
God’s works below
With beauty glow;
His hand, His grace, I own.
And stayed by joy divine,
As hireling fills his day,
Through scenes of strife
And desert life
I tread in peace my way.
“All is a vain show around us; but that which is inside abides. When the heart gets hold of this fact, it becomes like one taken into the house to work for the day; performs the duties well, but passes through, instead of living in the circumstances . . . . The Lord keep us going on in simplicity, fulfilling as a hireling our day, till Christ shall come, and then shall every man have praise of God.”
J.N.D.
That way is upward still,
Where life and glory are;
My rest’s above,
In perfect love
The glory I shall share –
For ever with the Lord,
For ever like Him then –
And see His face
In that blest place,
My Father’s house in heaven.
John Nelson Darby (1800-82)
Written 1856
Most of the above are in Hymns for the Little Flock 1962 and 1973 – No 12
S.M. (6.6.8.6)
