Pastor's Corner

Posted in: Pastor's Corner
Pastor Doug Morton - Three things that excite me most
By Pastor Doug Morton
Nov 13, 2008 - 5:02:02 PM

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There are three things that truly excite me. All three have to do with Christ.

The first is that Christ was born and lived for me. The Bible says Christ was born ‘under the law’ so that “he might redeem those who were under the law.” Since Christ is God come to earth, he is also the creator of the law. He did not have to obey the law in order to gain or keep anything. Rather, he obeyed the law so he might give me the credit for obeying it even though I haven’t. Theologians call this the ‘Active Obedience’ of Christ. Christ ‘actively’ obeyed the law, in my place, as my substitute. He then gives me the credit for doing so. Now, God continually looks at me as if I have perfectly obeyed his law. This is exciting! It makes living for God a joyful experience. Now my goal is to seek to become what I already am in Christ. I can do this without fear, since in God’s eyes, I am already righteous and holy in Christ.

The second is that Christ suffered and died for me. The Scripture says Jesus bore our sins in his body on the cross. And, John the Baptist declares Jesus to be the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Theologians call this the ‘Passive Obedience’ of Christ. My sins, and the sins of the entire world, were placed upon Christ at the cross. There he suffered the just judgment against all sins. Now, God has reconciled the world to himself. Now, my sins have been paid for. Now, God in Christ no longer counts my sins against me. That’s forgiveness! That exciting! My sins are gone. I have been freely forgiven through what Christ has done for me.

The third is that Christ rose from the dead for me. The Apostle Paul tells us that Christ was delivered over to the cross because of our sins. He goes on to say that Christ was raised from the dead “because of our justification.” The word ‘justification’ carries with it the idea of being right with God. When you hear the word ‘justified,’ think of “just as if I’d never sinned.” To be ‘justified’ is to be in the right and having God’s approval. Christ’s resurrection from the dead is God the Father’s declaration that he has accepted what Christ did on my behalf. It is God’s announcement of pardon to the whole world, including me.

There are certain things in life that excite me, but none like the three things Christ has done for me. Because of Christ I can get up every morning knowing that I am accepted by God. Because of Christ I can go to bed each night with the assurance, that if I don’t wake up in my bed in the morning, I will for certain wake up in my heavenly Father’s wondrous kingdom. This is exciting stuff for the person who knows he desperately needs forgiveness. I trust what Christ has done for me through his life, through his death, and through his resurrection. I hope you do too. The Bible says, “God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.” This eternal life is made possible by the three things Christ has done for you and for me. These three things excite me every day of my life. They also have the power to excite you.

Pastor Douglas Morton is pastor of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Marengo. His email is pastor@forgiveninchrist.com.

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