He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him —2 Corinthians 5:21

Sin isn’t just about doing the wrong things but having the wrong “being” within. What does that essentially mean? It’s not just being wrong but having the wrong nature controlling and residing within. That “wrong” nature acts and lives in defiance to God. This “sinful nature” is so not because of a list of actions done against against God but because it seeks to live independently of Him. Jesus died to redeem our sinful nature not simply pay for the many “sins” I’ve committed. He died for “sin”, He became “sin”, which is in my blood and nature but through His blood and nature, now redeemed.

It is easy to talk in the realm of things we can touch, see, and hear and we name those “sins”. Jesus however died for the nature of sin which no one but He can touch. I don’t become a Christian because I can deal with my sin but because Christ has dealt with it and deals with me. I am not made a saint of God because I have overcome sin but because Christ has overcome me. I am not made right with God because I have somehow managed to touch Him but quite the contrary, He has touched something with me no one else can ever touch; my sinful nature and turned it around!

When Jesus died on the cross, He did so for the entire human race making the world right with God once again. Everyone doesn’t experience this reality because they choose to live in a pseudo-reality. God’s work is done and everyone who chooses to ignore that continues to operate under a different system known as “law”.  God satisfied His Law through the grace-filled offering of Jesus Christ. Accepting the free gift of salvation is what activates the redemptive work within, changing a soul and allowing the full experience of God’s power and nature to operate within a life. Nothing aside from God’s grace, His redemptive expression, exhibited in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ can change a soul.

For more on this topic, read My Utmost For His Highest