The Overly-Substantial Atonement!

Part 2 of 2

We saw yesterday how Jesus' perfect atonement has completely reversed the effects of the fall. What was a curse and an awful consequence of man's sinful rebellion, Jesus, in His wondrous act has absorbed and become a curse for us, thus lovingly shifting such curses upon His own person. What more could we ask for?

But surprisingly, there is more!

Not only have the consequences of the curse been reversed in their entirety, but they have been reversed so significantly, in fact, that we are now positioned in a higher and more glorious degree than we were at the first! What a substantial atonement Jesus has effected for us! Rather, what an overly-substantial atonement! We have been super-saturated with God's divine graces!

Clearly this shows us that even the wrath of man will praise Him (Ps 76:10)!
The fall of man has actually afforded God an opportunity to fully exhibit His wisdom and display the riches of His grace to an extent which, so far as we can tell, He never could have done had not sin entered the world. In other words, in the sphere of redemption, Christ Jesus has not only reversed the effects of the fall, but because of it has actually brought in a better potential! Wow! What does this say about the devil? Reader, believe me when I tell you that Satan is nothing more than a tool in the hand of God. In fact, Scripture says that ALL things have been created BY Him and FOR Him (Col 1:18). Perhaps this viewpoint gives us a glimpse into God's methods?

Through Jesus, man is actually better off than before sin entered the scene. The redeemed have gained MORE through the Last Adam than they lost through the first Adam. They actually now occupy a more exalted position. Observe...

- Believers have obtained a better paradise. Before the fall, Adam dwelt in an EARTHLY paradise. However, after the fall, and because of the redemption that has been given, believers now have been made to sit with Christ in HEAVENLY places (Eph 1:3; 2:6)!

- Believers have obtained a better nature. Before the fall, Adam possessed a NATURAL life and a NOBLE nature. But this nature was obviously susceptible to sin. After man's redemption, he possesses a SPIRITUAL life and a NOBLER nature, even the Divine nature: "Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust" (2 Pet 1:4). How interesting that an escape from corruption is that which affords our partaking of the divine nature. Such an escape from corruption would never be possible if we first we not presented with the choice.. This life will be the last instance where we are susceptible to sin (2 Cor 3:18; Gal 4:19; Rev 21:4)!

- Believers in Christ Jesus have obtained a new and better standing before God. Before the fall, Adam was simply INNOCENT. This has a negative condition because it is apt to change. On the other hand, believers in Christ are RIGHTEOUS. This has a positive state because it speaks of being presented with evil, YET overcoming it.

- Believers have obtained a better inheritance. Adam was but the lord of EDEN, but true believers are now the "heirs of God and joint-heirs WITH CHRIST" (Rom 8:17), and thus "heir(s) of ALL THINGS" (Heb 1:2)! We are now "heirs of promise" (Heb 6:17). What a dramatic difference!

- The believer has obtained a deeper joy than any unfallen ones could have known. Adam only knew the LOVE of God, but not what this love was actually CAPABLE OF! This is evident in his hiding from God once he sinned. Only forgiven saints can really know the deep bliss of pardoned sins; he who has been forgiven much loves much (Lk 7:42-43). Only one whose sins have been as scarlet, yet have become as white as snow, can really ever know the euphoria of deep and conscious obligation to Jesus and His divine and mercy!

- In Christ, believers enjoy a closer relationship to God than was before possible. You see, Adam was but a CREATURE of Christ, but we are now the very members of the BODY of Christ: "For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones" (Eph 5:30). What a wonderful reality that we have been taken into Deity itself! What a stark contrast this is to simply knowing Deity in one relational way, as Adam did. We are thankful!

- Finally, believers have a greater portion! Not only is God Himself our portion, but it is the highly exalted one, the very resurrected Lamb of God (Matt 28:18; Rev 5:9, 12)! Adam, before his fall, could never know this gracious facet of the Godhead. Though Jesus was the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world (Rev 13:8), such intimate knowledge of His experiential mercy can only be personally realized upon personal atonement. Truly, "where sin abounded, grace did much more abound" (Rom 5:21)!

I simply stand in awe as I consider the sovereign plan of God that unfolded in the creation and fall of humanity. He certainly has allowed in His wisdom (the fall) what He could have prevented in His power. Jesus isn't looking for mere robots, and the only way to ensure the genuine sincerity of His bride is to present her with a drastic choice, and watch hopefully as she chooses His road-less-travelled! We're eternally grateful Jesus. Thank you!