Reflections on the Scandal – Chapter 2: The Centre of the Whole Bible
I am constantly amazed by the fact that no matter how many times I read the accounts of the cross or a new book on the subject of the cross, God continues to reveal more of Himself to me. As someone who has been a Christian for a number of years I know I can sometimes be flippant about the cross and take it for granted, as if I already know all there is to know about it. How wrong can one person be?
D.A.Carson’s focus for the second chapter of ‘Scandalous’ is Romans 3:21-26;
‘But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.’ (ESV)
Immediately preceding this passage, Paul sets out the problem; we are sinners and God’s wrath is against us. Carson puts it this way; ‘it is idolatry, which means that instead of wanting God, you want the thing, which de-gods God.‘ Carson also points out; ‘if someone were suddenly to hold up a picture of your graduating class from high school or college and say “This is your graduating class,” which face do you look for first – just to make sure it is there?…or if you have an argument….and then replay that argument in your mind – who wins?’
These examples really struck me as true – this is exactly what I would do! I do want things more than God. I do make myself the centre of the universe. I am always de-godding God.
So what is the solution to the problem? How can I become righteous and just before a holy God?
Carson points out four things:
1) Paul establishes the relationship of God’s righteousness in Christ to the Old Testament’s law covenant (Romans 3:21)
2) Paul establishes the availability of God’s righteousness for all human beings, without ethnic distinction but on condition of faith (Romans 3:22-23)
3) Paul establishes the source of God’s righteousness in the gracious provision of Christ Jesus for the propitiation of our sins (Romans 3:24-25a)
4) Paul establishes that God’s justice, His righteousness, is demonstrated through the cross of Christ (Romans 3: 25b-26)
The first thing that struck me was the concept of righteousness for all in point 2. I have heard this so many times before, but I have never thought of it so deeply.
‘for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God’ (Romans 3:22a)
I will always fall short of giving God the glory He deserves because I make myself the centre of the universe instead of God. Because I have sinned I need God’s righteousness. Because all have sinned, all need God’s righteousness.
The second thing that struck me was that God sent His Son to die for us. How many times have I heard this? How many times have I quoted John 3:16? I now realise that there is so much more in these few words. Carson explains that God sends Jesus to turn aside His own wrath. It is God who is offended by sin, it is God who must be against sin, yet it is God who provides the solution for sin. God provides the propitiation for Himself.
‘His justice is satisfied in Jesus’ propitiatory sacrifice so that all may see that sin deserves the punishment that He Himself has imposed and the punishment has been meted out. This vindicates God so that He Himself is seen to be just, as well as the one who justifies the ungodly. Justification is first and foremost about the vindication of God. God simultaneously preserves His justice while justifying the ungodly. That is the heart of the gospel.’
Wow! For me, this Easter will now take on a deeper meaning as I grasp the true significance of the cross and truly realise just how much God has done for me.
Caroline.
This post is part of a series of posts that will take place this week, recording various Firwood members’ reflections upon each chapter of Carson’s book ‘Scandalous- The Cross and Resurrection of Jesus’. For more information, click here