Hello Monergism, Please, could you let me know what exactly it means that Christ [who was perfect and sinless] "BECAME SIN" for us. How was this possible? Thank you
That is a great question.
When it is said that Jesus "became sin" for us, it doesn't mean that He became sinful or committed sin Himself. Instead, it means that our sins were imputed or accounted to Him, and He bore the punishment that we deserved for those sins.
If you draw a giraffe, you must draw him with a long neck. If, in your bold creative way, you hold yourself free to draw a giraffe with a short neck, you will really find that you are not free to draw a giraffe. The moment you step into the world of facts, you step into a world of limits...Do not go about as a demagogue, encouraging triangles to break out of the prison of their three sides.
The ensuing recommendations entail a combination of personal disciplines, ecclesiastical practices, and theological perspectives to fortify the believer's faith.
Sola Scriptura: Adherence to the principle of "Scripture Alone" is paramount in guarding against apostasy. By prioritizing the Bible as the ultimate authority, believers are anchored in the objective truth of God's Word, rather than subjective experiences or human traditions (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
"I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you." - Jeremiah 31:3
The descriptions of God as jealous, angry, moved with compassion, impatient, or loving are considered anthropopathic expressions. These expressions use human characteristics to describe God's nature, actions, or attitudes in a manner that we, as humans, can understand and relate to. It is important to remember that our human language and concepts are often inadequate to fully capture the true essence of God's being.
The assertion that God is "without body, parts, or passions" emphasizes the immaterial, transcendent, and immutable nature of the Almighty.
-- Being "without body" signifies that God is not composed of physical matter or confined by spatial limitations, enabling Him to be omnipresent and free from the constraints of the material world.
--The absence of "parts" highlights the divine simplicity of God, wherein He is not divisible into separate components but rather exists as an entirely unified and indivisible being.
“One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul.” Acts 16:14
Let us examine the passage and seek to uncover the profound truths embedded within the inspired text:
Q. 28. What are the punishments of sin in this world?
A. The punishments of sin in this world, are either inward, as blindness of mind, a reprobate sense, strong delusions, hardness of heart, horror of conscience, and vile affections: or outward, as the curse of God upon the creatures for our sake; and all other evils that befall us in our bodies, names, estates, relations, and employments; together with death itself.
Eph. 4:18; Rom. 1:28; 2 Thess. 2:11; Rom. 2:5; Isa. 33:14; Gen. 4:13; Matt. 27: 4; Rom. 1:26; Gen. 3:17; Deut. 28:15-68; Rom. 6:21, 23.
The question of whether God desires all to be saved is a subject of ongoing debate in Christian theology. The question of whether God desires all to be saved is a subject of ongoing debate in Christian theology. On one hand, several biblical passages seem to indicate that God desires the salvation of all people (1 Timothy 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9; Ezekiel 18:23; Matthew 23:37).
Against carnal fear. Many are troubled when they consider the power and cunning of the enemies of God's people. But you need not be dismayed when you, in the simplicity of your hearts, give yourselves up to the direction of God's word. You need not fear all their craft; when they are confounded and broken to pieces by their own devices, you shall stand firm. It seems to be the greatest folly in the world to keep at a distance from the rising side. In time, it will be found to be the greatest wisdom.
