He Made Him to Be Sin for Us

For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him (2 Cor. 5:21 KJV)

The verse above tells us how the Father made His Son Jesus to be sin for us who knew no sin. This is an astonishing scripture. Our religious mindset would have preferred a more acceptable wording such “ He made Him to be a sin offering”, to taper it down a little, as the New Living Translation tries to do. This will be correct, as Jesus is our sin offering. However, God chose His words carefully.

If we look at the other side of the revelation, we see ourselves being called the righteousness of God. In some way, it is easier for us to accept this reality, that we are not just called to live a righteous life but God has made us His very own righteousness. The other side of this coin is Jesus being made sin for us to be made the righteousness of God. God has made us a living embodiment of the expression of His very righteousness. For this to have taken place, Christ had to become sin in every sense of it, as the very embodiment of it. This carries a stronger connotation that being the sin offering for humanity.

Our righteousness in Christ came with a hefty price tag. God has thoroughly dealt with sin in Christ. There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, for the law of the Spirit of life has set them free from the law of sin and death. Praise be unto our God for His marvelous works!

MEDITATE

What is the difference in stress between Christ being made sin and Christ being made our sin offering? Declare that “ I am the righteousness of God because Jesus became my sin”.

APPLY THE WORD

Christ became sin for you. You are an embodiment of God’s righteousness. Be grateful to the Lord for such a sacrifice. Express that gratitude not only in words but in fulfilling the very purpose of His death of empowering you to live a righteous life. Intentionally living in sin after knowing and receiving His sacrifice is slamming the door against Christ’s face. Be thankful, in words and action.