CHRIST MADE SIN FOR US
By Rev. Samuel Arimoro
Main Text: 2 Corinthians 5:21
Key Verse: 2 Corinthians 5:21
“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.”
Supporting Texts: Isaiah 53:4-6; Romans 3:23-26; Romans 5:6-11; Galatians 3:13; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 Peter 3:18; Hebrews 9:28
Description: Christ took our place and bore the judgement due to sin so that everyone who believes in Him might receive God's righteousness and be restored to fellowship with God.
INTRODUCTION
The cross of Jesus Christ is the greatest demonstration of God's love and the central message of the Gospel. Humanity was separated from God because of sin, and no human effort, religious ceremony or personal righteousness could solve the problem. Sin demanded judgement, but God provided a substitute in the person of His Son, Jesus Christ.
Paul gives us one of the most profound statements in Scripture: “He hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin.” Christ was completely innocent, yet He willingly took our place. He did not become a sinner in His character; rather, He bore our sins and accepted the judgement that our sins deserved.
The purpose of this great exchange was that “we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” Christ took what belonged to us so that, through faith in Him, we might receive what belongs to Him. This is the wonder of grace: our guilt was placed upon Christ, and His righteousness is credited to those who believe.
1. CHRIST WAS COMPLETELY WITHOUT SIN
The value of Christ's sacrifice rests upon His perfect sinlessness. If Jesus Himself had been a sinner, He could not have served as the spotless sacrifice for others.
a. He Knew No Sin (2 Corinthians 5:21) — Scripture clearly declares that Christ was without sin.
b. He Was Without Blemish (1 Peter 1:18-19) — Christ was the spotless Lamb whose precious blood purchased our redemption.
c. He Was Tempted Yet Without Sin (Hebrews 4:15) — Jesus experienced temptation but never yielded to sin.
d. He Was Declared Righteous (Luke 23:47) — Even the Roman centurion recognised the extraordinary righteousness of Jesus at His death.
Biblical Example: Pilate examined Jesus and repeatedly found no fault in Him, yet Jesus was delivered to be crucified (Luke 23:4, 14, 22).
2. CHRIST TOOK OUR PLACE
The cross demonstrates substitution. Jesus suffered in our place and bore the consequences of our sin so that we could receive forgiveness and life.
a. He Bore Our Sins (1 Peter 2:24) — Christ carried our sins in His own body on the tree.
b. He Was Wounded for Us (Isaiah 53:5) — His suffering was connected directly to our transgressions and iniquities.
c. He Gave His Life for Us (Mark 10:45) — Jesus came to give His life as a ransom for many.
d. He Died for the Ungodly (Romans 5:6) — Christ's death was an act of grace towards those who could not save themselves.
Biblical Example: The Passover lamb died so that the firstborn of Israel could live, pointing forward to Christ's substitutionary sacrifice (Exodus 12:5-13).
3. CHRIST BORE THE JUDGEMENT OF OUR SIN
Sin carries consequences, but Christ willingly accepted the judgement associated with our sins. The cross reveals both God's holiness and His mercy.
a. Sin Brings Death (Romans 6:23) — The wages of sin are death.
b. Christ Endured the Cross (Hebrews 12:2) — Jesus willingly endured the shame and suffering of the cross for the joy set before Him.
c. He Bore Our Curse (Galatians 3:13) — Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us.
d. He Suffered Once for Sins (1 Peter 3:18) — The righteous Christ suffered once for the unrighteous to bring us to God.
Biblical Example: The bronze serpent in the wilderness provided healing to those who looked upon it, foreshadowing Christ's saving work on the cross (Numbers 21:8-9; John 3:14-15).
4. CHRIST'S SACRIFICE REVEALS GOD'S LOVE
The cross is not evidence that God stopped loving humanity; it is one of the greatest demonstrations of His love. God provided the sacrifice that sinners desperately needed.
a. God Loved the World (John 3:16) — God's love moved Him to give His only begotten Son.
b. Christ Died for Us While We Were Sinners (Romans 5:8) — God's love was demonstrated while humanity was still in sin.
c. Christ Loved Us and Gave Himself for Us (Ephesians 5:2) — His sacrifice was an expression of His love.
d. His Love Is Beyond Human Measure (Ephesians 3:18-19) — The love of Christ surpasses ordinary human understanding.
Biblical Example: The father in the parable of the prodigal son ran to receive his returning son, illustrating God's compassionate heart towards those who return to Him (Luke 15:20-24).
5. CHRIST'S DEATH MAKES FORGIVENESS POSSIBLE
Because Christ paid the price for sin, forgiveness is available to everyone who turns to God in faith. We do not earn forgiveness through our own works.
a. His Blood Brings Forgiveness (Matthew 26:28) — Jesus identified His blood with the forgiveness of sins.
b. Redemption Is Through His Blood (Ephesians 1:7) — In Christ we have redemption and forgiveness through His blood.
c. God Forgives Those Who Confess (1 John 1:9) — God is faithful and just to forgive and cleanse those who confess their sins.
d. Christ's Sacrifice Is Sufficient (Hebrews 10:10-14) — Christ offered Himself once for all and completed the sacrifice necessary for redemption.
Biblical Example: Zacchaeus encountered Jesus, repented of his former way of living and experienced the transforming grace of salvation (Luke 19:1-10).
6. CHRIST'S RIGHTEOUSNESS IS GIVEN TO THOSE WHO BELIEVE
The Gospel is not simply that our sins are forgiven; God also gives believers a new standing before Him. We are made righteous in Christ.
a. Righteousness Comes Through Faith (Romans 3:22) — God's righteousness is received through faith in Jesus Christ.
b. We Are Justified by Faith (Romans 5:1) — Faith brings us into a right standing with God.
c. Human Righteousness Cannot Save Us (Philippians 3:9) — Paul rejected confidence in his own righteousness and depended upon Christ.
d. Christ Is Our Righteousness (1 Corinthians 1:30) — Christ Himself has become our righteousness, sanctification and redemption.
Biblical Example: Abraham believed God, and his faith was counted to him for righteousness (Genesis 15:6; Romans 4:3).
7. THE GREAT EXCHANGE SHOULD TRANSFORM OUR LIVES
Grace is never an excuse to continue in sin. Since Christ took our place, those who belong to Him should live differently. The righteousness received through Christ should produce righteous living.
a. Die to Sin (Romans 6:6-7) — Those united with Christ should no longer be slaves to sin.
b. Live for Righteousness (1 Peter 2:24) — Christ bore our sins so that we should live unto righteousness.
c. Walk in Newness of Life (Romans 6:4) — The believer should demonstrate the reality of new life in Christ.
d. Present Yourself to God (Romans 12:1) — Our response to God's mercy should be complete surrender.
Biblical Example: After encountering Christ, Zacchaeus demonstrated repentance through changed conduct and restitution (Luke 19:8-9).
8. CHRIST'S WORK GIVES US ACCESS TO GOD
Sin created separation, but Christ's sacrifice opened the way for us to approach God. Through Him, we are no longer strangers but are brought near.
a. Christ Reconciled Us to God (Romans 5:10) — Through Christ we are restored to fellowship with God.
b. His Blood Brings Us Near (Ephesians 2:13) — Those who were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
c. We Can Come Boldly to God (Hebrews 4:16) — Because of Christ, we can approach God's throne of grace with confidence.
d. We Have Peace With God (Romans 5:1) — Justification by faith gives us peace with God through Jesus Christ.
Biblical Example: The veil of the temple was torn from top to bottom when Jesus died, signifying that His sacrifice opened the way into God's presence (Matthew 27:50-51).
CONCLUSION
Christ, who knew no sin, was made sin for us. He willingly took our place, bore our sins and endured the judgement that sin deserved. This was not because He had failed or deserved punishment, but because of His love for humanity and His desire to reconcile us to God.
Now that Christ has taken our place, we must receive His grace by faith and live in the reality of the righteousness He has provided. Let us never treat the cross lightly. Let our gratitude produce holiness, obedience, love and complete devotion to Jesus Christ.
PRAYER POINTS
1. Father, thank You for sending Jesus Christ to take my place, in Jesus name.
2. Lord, help me to understand deeply the sacrifice Christ made for me, in Jesus name.
3. Father, let the power of Christ's sacrifice continually speak for me, in Jesus name.
4. Lord, forgive every sin in my life and cleanse me from all unrighteousness, in Jesus name.
5. Father, help me to live in the righteousness I have received through Christ, in Jesus name.
6. Lord, deliver me from every habit that contradicts my identity in Christ, in Jesus name.
7. Father, let the power of the cross destroy every work of sin in my life, in Jesus name.
8. Lord, strengthen my faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ, in Jesus name.
9. Father, help me to walk daily in holiness, obedience and righteousness, in Jesus name.
10. Lord, let the finished work of Christ produce lasting transformation in every area of my life, in Jesus name.
PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS
1. You shall continually experience the saving grace of Jesus Christ.
2. Every power of sin ruling your life shall be broken.
3. You shall walk in the righteousness of God through Christ.
4. The finished work of Christ shall speak mercy and favour over your life.
5. You shall enjoy peace and fellowship with God.
6. Every accusation standing against you shall be answered by the finished work of Christ.
7. You shall walk in newness of life and victory over sin.
8. Your faith in Christ shall remain strong and unwavering.
9. You shall manifest the character and righteousness of Christ in your daily life.
10. You shall finish your Christian journey in faith and remain established in Christ until the end.
