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  • God and His Son Acting Together at the Cross: Understanding Their Divine Plan

    God and His Son Acting Together at the Cross: Understanding Their Divine Plan

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    God and His beloved Son are one in purpose and goals about humanity. They have set a redeeming plan even before creating humankind and their home planet. 

    God has promised to execute their plan of human salvation right after our first parents had fallen into sin.

    As part of it, the beloved Son of God “was made sin” to redeem His created beings.

    For He (the Father) has made Him (the Son) to be sin for us, who knew no sin. That we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:21. 

    Everything they have done was real and with factual consequences in helping the broken world. All their actions were motivated by their pardoning and infinite love for people

    Christ humbled Himself and trusted His Father even unto death.

    This post gives many scriptural examples. It is not an exhaustive list, but rather they are leading and informative.

    Table of contents

    Sin expanding from Heaven to earth

    As sovereign of the entire Universe including our world, God is the one who deals with the sin problem.   

    According to the inspired Scriptures, there are celestial and human sinful beings. Sin has begun in Heaven and then expanded to earth. 

    By believing the lies of Satan, our first parents Adam and Eve had fallen short of God’s glory. In other words, they had distrusted God as their loving Father. 

    Thus they had fallen from the state of love and truth. They were endowed by God with them, at the time of their creation in His likeness. Thus the children began to misrepresent His Father. 

    Ever since, every successive human generation of Adam and Eve reflects their moral image and not God’s. 

    For example:

    • Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law (love to God and others). 1 John 3:4. 
    • Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. Psalm 51:5. 
    • For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23.

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    Bojko Belovsky – founder of God’s Love Gateway

    My promise to you: Always genuine Christ-centered messages for your life growth now leading to eternity.

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    Made to be sin for us

    So, it is sin that separates us from God. Thus no one can be happy and withstand the presence of the holy God.

    The prophet Isaiah puts it this way:

    But your iniquities have separated between you and your God. And your sins have hid His face from you, that he will not hear. Isaiah 59:2.

    God can’t change His law of love. It is His nature and is eternal and constant as God is. At the same time He will not force anyone to be with Him. God gives freedom of choice to His creation. 

    But, there are consequences of cutting off the source of all life and development.

    For example:

    • For in him we live, and move, and have our being. As certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. Acts 17:28.
    • The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son. Ezekiel 18:20.

    Furthermore, God is also just to Himself and to the rest of the Cosmos. And to help our broken world, He and His Divine Son devised the plan of its redemption. 

    It is all based on the principles of love and freedom as it was in the time of human creation. Jesus voluntarily has agreed to be the Lamb of God who takes the sin of the world.

    All for the sake of humanity

    It is amazing to know that all had been set in place beforehand. Even before humankind creation, which God has done through His Son.

    So, Revelation 13:8 describes Jesus as the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

    Consider the next examples:

    • But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory; 1 Corinthians 2:7.
    • And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hidden in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ; Ephesians 3:9. 
    • Who hath saved us according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began; 2 Timothy 1:9. 

    It had happened the way it was prophesied right after the fall into sin in the garden of Eden. Moreover, the way it was taught by the ceremonial instructions. 

    They all have pointed to Christ as the Messiah – the anointed of God. By His atoning sacrifice on Calvary He became the world’s redeemer. 

    And this is the core of the entire Bible. The inspired Scriptures have revealed how the infinite Love has paid the price for human redemption. 

    For instance:

    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. Galatians 2:20. 

    For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16. 

    But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8.


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    Taking the sin of the world

    When the fullness of time came, the Father and the Son have accomplished their eternal covenant. 

    The beloved Son of God has shed His blood as the ransom to redeem us from the bondage of sin. He took the sin of the world on Himself. 

    In other words, the sins of all people from Adam down the line of time till His second coming. 

    And it was the Father who laid them on His Son as the Lamb of God, who takes the sin of the world, according to the book of John 1:29. 

    For He (the Father) hath made Him (the Son) to be sin for us.

    This was done in reality by the collaborative action of the Godhead’s members. Whatever God says, He does. 

    God is not a man, that He should lie; Hath He said, and shall He not do it? Or hath He spoken, and shall He not make it good? Numbers 23:19.

    Thus your redemption is as real as your creation. 

    For instance:

    • But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities. All we like sheep have gone astray. We have turned every one to his own way. And the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
    • He hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors. And he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. Isaiah 53:5, 6, 12.
    • But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and He that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not. For I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name. Thou art mine. Isaiah 43:1. 

    It was so real, that caused Jesus to sweat blood in Gethsemane, before the cross.

    Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.  
    And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly. And his sweat was as if there were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. Luke 22:42, 44.

    Saving the lost

    Jesus has prayed 3 times the same – if it is possible to pass this cup. The cup was with the sin, guilt and shame of the world. 

    He became a human substitute. On Him were laid our iniquities and He was counted a transgressor. 

    And it caused Christ to experience the unimaginable anguish and sorrow. He said to the disciple, just before His arrest:

    My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death. Matthew 26:38. 

    He was also grieving His local people and the entire world. Christ saw how deep is the hold of sin upon the human heart. Moreover, how few would be willing to break from its power.

    Later on, while the soldiers were doing their work at Calvary, Jesus prayed for His enemies.

    Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. Luke 23:24.

    All that had separated their lives from God began to mock Him as He hung upon the cross.

    For example:

    • If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross. Matthew 27:40.
    • He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God. Luke 23:35.
    • He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him. Matthew 27:42.

    Though spoken in mockery, these words led people to search the Scriptures as they had never done before. Thus they saw the meaning of Christ’s mission.  

    Jesus hasn’t saved Himself. He saved His people from their sins. Thus whosoever will can have peace with God and inherit eternal life


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    The Voice from heaven was silent

    Jesus suffered alone the abuse and mockery from wicked people. He had foretold that centuries before the crucifixion.

    For example: 

    • Dogs have compassed Me; The assembly of the wicked have enclosed Me: they pierced My hands and My feet. I may tell all My bones: they look and stare upon Me. They part My garments among them, and cast lots upon My vesture. Psalm 22:16-18.
    • Reproach hath broken My heart. I am full of heaviness. And I looked for some to take pity, but there was none. And for comforters, but I found none. They also gave Me gall for My meat. And in My thirst they gave Me vinegar to drink. Psalm 69:20, 21.

    At that moment no testimonies from heaven were heard in His favor. This time was different from His earlier experience. Throughout His life on earth He had walked in the light of God’s presence.

    When in conflict with people inspired by Satan, He can say:

    He that sent Me is with Me. The Father hath not left Me alone. For I always do those things that please Him. John 8:29

    But now, He can’t see the Father’s face, because of the weight of guilt He bears. 

    The wrath of God against sin (not His Son) filled Him with anxiety and distress. The withdrawal of the Divine countenance pierced His heart with a sorrow unto death. 

    That mental anguish can never be fully understood by humankind. No other ever had the relationship akin to the one of Jesus and His Father.

    Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. Matthew 27:45 

    It was a miraculous testimony of God to establish the faith of future generations. The Father was with His Son without revealing His presence from the tick darkness.  

    By this supernatural event God veiled the last human agony of His Son.

    Dying on the cross

    And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? That is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Matthew 27:46.

    It was not the dread of death nor the pain of the cross that caused His inexpressible agony. His suffering was from a sense of the malignity of sin which broke His heart and caused His death.

    He was the Lamb of God who took the sin of the world. Further, He was the slain Lamb He had chosen to be before the foundation of this world. 

    Thus through His atoning sacrifice Christ became the Substitute and Sinbearer of humanity. He completed His mission outlined by His Father and Himself.

    Jesus offered Himself upon the cross as a sacrifice, becoming sin itself out of His love to you. For the joy to be with you for eternity, He endured the cross. 

    Christ trusted His Father even in the darkest moments without any light of hope. He took the bitter cup.

    Knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, He said: I thirst.

    When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, He said: It is finished. And He bowed His head, and gave up the ghost. John 17:28, 30. 

    Christ was acquainted with the character of His Father. He understood His justice, mercy, and love. 

    By faith He rested in Him and was victorious.

    Conclusion on the collaborative divine work

    The Father and the Son had pledged to save humanity before the world was made.

    Christ, the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world, bore our sins in His own body on the cross. He offered Himself as a sacrifice and substitute for the broken world.

    He trusted the Father when He laid on Him the world’s iniquity and made Him to be sin for us

    Thus He was numbered with the transgressors. But, He had a deeper wound that broke His heart and died.

    It was the hiding of His Father’s presence because of His displeasure for sin.

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    References

    DA, 752-756 – The Ellen G. White Estate

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    • What resonated with you most in this post, and why?
    • Do you see how God and His beloved Son collaborated at the cross to fulfill their plan for human redemption?
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  • Condemning Sin, Not People: Deliverance From The Law Of Sin And Death

    Condemning Sin, Not People: Deliverance From The Law Of Sin And Death

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    I hope you enjoy reading this post. If you want to delve deeper into this topic – we can help, just get in touch.

    In His human nature, Jesus condemned sin by His sinless life and unjust death.

    God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world. But that the world through Him might be saved. John 3:17. 

    For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:2.

    Table of contents

    1. There is no condemnation to them who are in Jesus.
    2. Christ condemns sin, but not sinner.
    3. Condemning the innocent to die the cruellest death
    4. Conclusion on condemnation of sin

    There is no condemnation to them who are in Jesus

    What does it mean? 

    Certainly it doesn’t mean that the Law of God ceased to exist. His Law is infinite and immutable as God Himself.

    Its moral claims are still binding. 

    I feel the same way as the apostle Paul explained in Romans chapters 7 and 8. 

    I delight in the Law of God, which becomes the law of my mind. But I see another law in me opposing it.

    That is the law of sin which is in my nature. I was born with it. 

    I was shaped in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. Psalm 51:5. Moreover, I grew up and lived this way.

    The Law of God reveals it, exposing my sins.

    So, the question I ask is the same he asked:

    O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death? Romans 7:24.

    This is my miserable condition. It is the law of sin in me that leads me to death.

    For more – read The “Second Death” in the Stream of Time: Biblical Insights

    Therefore, I thank God for providing Jesus as the way of escape. 

    By His grace, when abiding in Him and guided by His Spirit, I am made free from the law of sin and death.

    For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:2.


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    About the author

    An image of a person.

    Bojko Belovsky – founder of God’s Love Gateway

    My promise to you: Always genuine Christ-centered messages for your life growth now leading to eternity.

    Learn more about him.


    Christ rebukes sin, but not sinner

    Satan knows God’s commandments of love better than any human being. He is the first who rebelled against God in Heaven. 

    Thereafter, he calls for punishment of the law breakers. He points to me as a sinner and the transgressor of the law. 

    Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law. For sin is the transgression of the law. 1 John 3:4. 

    I can’t bring anything on my own to answer the claims of the Law of God,which is holy, just and good. Romans 7:12.

    But, I am not crushed by the guilt after I got the knowledge of the commandments. 

    On my turn I point to Jesus, who is my Savior. I am justified by His blood and will be sanctified by His Divine grace.  

    I depend on Christ for my salvation. He was manifested to take away our sins. And in Him is no sin. 1 John 3:5. 

    He is not condemning nor punishing me, but saves me. I have my freedom in Him from the bondage of sin. 

    Moreover, I also know it is not a licence to lawlessness. Jesus said: 

    Think not that I came to destroy the law, or the prophets; I came not to destroy, but to fulfil.

    For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Matthew 5:17, 18. 

    Furthermore, he that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. 

    For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. 1 John 3:8.

    To summarize it, Jesus did:

    • Exalt the Law of God by His righteous life and death on the cross. 
    • Destroy the deceptions and snares of Satan, and his law of sin which leads to death. 

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    Condemning the innocent to die the cruellest death

    On the way to Jerusalem, Christ said to His disciples:

    Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes;

    and they shall condemn him to death; 

    And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him. Matthew 20:18, 19. 

    They knew that He:

    • Was doing greater works than they ever had done, or ever could perform.  
    • If he continued his teachings, he would become higher in authority than them.
    • Might become king of the Jews.

    Therefore, the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death. Matthew 26:59.

    Jesus knew the condition of their heart and told them earlier:

    But if ye had known what this meaneth, I would have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless. Matthew 12:7.

    They would not accept him as their king.

    When Pilate said unto them, Why, what evil hath he done? And they cried out more exceedingly: Crucify him. Mark 15:14.

    Thus by taking the life of the Son of God, they were bringing about the very thing they wanted to prevent.

    The crucifixion of Jesus made Him the Redeemer of humanity, their Saviour and ruler over the whole world.



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    Conclusion on condemnation of sin

    God sent His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh.

    In His humanity and as living in this world’s sinful environment, He condemned sin, but not sinners. 

    And in Him is no sin. 1 John 3:5. 

    He provided a way for people to be free from the law of sin, which leads to death.

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    Where to go from here

    Stay in the know of God’s love for you

    References:

    Chapter 14, 1SP 1870 – The Ellen G. White Estate

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    Continue your journey with these


    Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments section.

    • What resonated with you most in this post, and why?
    • Are you convinced that Christ came to destroy the work of the devil and not the Law of God and the prophets?
    • How do you understand the law of the Spirit of life in Jesus, as mentioned in the Bible? Share more about it.
    • Reach out if you need more information on this topic.

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