King David once said in a prayer of repentance, “Against You and You only have I sinned.” (Psalm 51:4) Though he recognized that his sin certainly hurt and violated others, first and foremost it was a defiant declaration of independence against God, an act of cosmic treason, tantamount to spitting in God’s face and an attempt to take the place of rule on His throne. Every time we sin each of us is saying “I should be on the throne of this Universe and not You God; I should make the rules and not You.” Continue reading →

“Then Jesus arrived from Galilee at the Jordan coming to John, to be baptized by him.

But John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I have need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?”

But Jesus answering said to him, “Permit it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he permitted Him.” – Matthew 3:13-15

“But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, “LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.” – 1 Corinthians 1:30-31

CHRIST DIED FOR OUR SINS, AND LIVED FOR OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS

The Lord Jesus Christ not only died an atoning death for our sins, but He also lived a sinless life that perfectly fulfilled the righteous standards of the law. If all that was necessary for our justification was the death of Jesus on the cross, He could have come down to earth on a parachute on Good Friday, died on the cross for us, and three days later, risen again. But we all know that this is not what happened. Why? Because that would never have been enough. Continue reading →