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Chapter 170

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THE DEATH OF JESUS CHRIST
The Results of Christ's Death

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Topic 40:   The Results of Christ's Death (Main Topic)

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Topic 42:   The Results of Christ's Death in relation to Men in General.

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POINT 10:   Through the death of Jesus Christ all men are drawn to Him.

      John 12:32-33 [32] "But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself." [33] He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.

   The death of Christ is the world's great magnet drawing all men to Him. There are many who will resist that drawing to their own ruin.

      John 5:39-40 [39] You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, [40] yet you refuse to come to me to have life.

   But the crucified Christ draws all men.

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POINT 20:   By the death of Jesus Christ a propitiation is provided for the world.

      1 John 2:2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

   A basis is provided upon which God can deal in mercy with the world. All God's dealings in mercy with any man are on the ground of Christ's death. Only on the ground of Christ's death could God deal in mercy with any man.

   QUESTION: How, then, did God deal in mercy with those before Christ's time?

   ANSWER: The death of Christ was in God's sight an eternal fact. He planned it from the beginning.

      Revelation 13:8 All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast -- all whose names have not been written in the book of life belonging to the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world.

   Note: The atonement of Christ bears a different relation to the believer from that which it bears to the world in general.

      1 John 2:2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

   The benefits of Christ's atonement are available to all, but they are fully available only for believers.

      Compare 1 Timothy 4:9-10 [9] This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance [10] (and for this we labor and strive), that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe.

      Romans 3:25 God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished

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POINT 30:   By His death, Jesus took away the sin of the world.

      John 1:29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!"

   Christ's death took the sin of the world out of the way so that a clear way to God and pardon and life was opened for all.

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POINT 40:   Through the death of Jesus Christ all men obtain resurrection from the dead.

      Romans 5:18 Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men.

      1 Corinthians 15:21-22 [21] For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. [22] For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.

   The state into which each man shall be resurrected depends entirely upon that person's attitude towards Christ. Some shall rise to life in fellowship with God, others to condemnation, shame and everlasting contempt.

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Topic 44:   The Results of Christ's Death in relation to the Believer.

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POINT 10:   Through Christ's soul being make a guilt-offering for sin, i.e., through His death, He sees His seed, He begets a spiritual progeny.

      Isaiah 53:10 Yet it was the LORD's will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the LORD makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand.

   The new race of sons of God springs from Christ's death.

      Compare John 12:24 I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds

   In this spiritual progeny that spring from His death Jesus sees the light of life and is satisfied.

      Isaiah 53:11: After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities.

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POINT 20:   By the sacrifice of Himself, Jesus Christ has put away sin, or rather rendered sin void, or nullified sin.

   The context shows it is the sin of the believer that is in question.

      Hebrews 9:26 Then Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But now he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself.

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POINT 30:   By the death of Jesus Christ the believer is redeemed from the curse of the law.

      Galatians 3:13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree."

   (Note: "became a curse for us" does not translate well. It does not mean Christ became a burden on us, it means he took the curse in our stead.)

   The penalty of the broken law has been paid by Jesus Christ, and the broken law no longer has any claim on the believer.

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POINT 40:   By His death upon the cross Jesus Christ has "blotted out," and "taken out of the way," and "nailed to the cross," "the written code that was against us," (i.e., the law).

      Colossians 2:13-14 [13] ... He forgave us all our sins, [14] having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross.

   Not only has the curse which the law imposes upon the law-breaker been settled, but the law itself has been done away with by the death of Christ.

      Compare 2 Corinthians 3:7-8, 11 [7] Now if the ministry that brought death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory, fading though it was, [8] will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? [11] And if what was fading away came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts!

   Christ has settled all the claims of the law, fulfilled it, and done away with it.

      Compare Romans 7:1-4, 6 [1] Do you not know, brothers -- for I am speaking to men who know the law -- that the law has authority over a man only as long as he lives? [2] For example, by law a married woman is bound to her husband as long as he is alive, but if her husband dies, she is released from the law of marriage. [3] So then, if she marries another man while her husband is still alive, she is called an adulteress. But if her husband dies, she is released from that law and is not an adulteress, even though she marries another man. [4] So, my brothers, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit to God. [6] But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.

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POINT 50:   By the death of Jesus Christ the separation between Jew and Gentile is eliminated.

      Matthew 27:50-51 [50] And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. [51] At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split.

   The tearing of the curtain symbolized the end of the separation between Jew and Gentile.

      Ephesians 2:14-16 [14] For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, [15] by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, [16] and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.

   It is the law that separates Jew and Gentile. This Jesus abolished in His flesh, and now in Jesus Christ there is neither Jew nor Greek, etc., but all are on man in Christ Jesus.

      Galatians 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

   The blood of Christ is the cement of all nations, making them one.

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POINT 60:   By the death of Christ, Jewish believers are redeemed from being subject to the Law, to receive the adoption of sons.

      Galatians 4:3-5 [3] So also, when we were children, we were in slavery under the basic principles of the world. [4] But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, [5] to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.

      Compare Galatians 3:13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree."

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POINT 70:   By the death of Christ, Gentile believers, who were afar off, aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world, are brought near, made fellow-citizens with the saints, members of the household of God.

      Ephesians 2:11-13, 19- 20 [11] Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called "uncircumcised" by those who call themselves "the circumcision" (that done in the body by the hands of men) -- [12] remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. [13] But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. [19] Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, [20] built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.

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POINT 80:   By the death of God's Son, believers who were once sinners are reconciled to God.

      Romans 5:10 For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!

   By Christ's death enmity between God and the sinner is done away with. It has already been resolved. Christ has made peace through the blood of the cross. He has reconciled believers in the body of His flesh through death.

      Colossians 1:19-22 [19] For God was pleased to have all his [God's] fullness dwell in him [Jesus], [20] and through him [Jesus] to reconcile to himself [God] all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his [Jesus] blood, shed on the cross. [21] Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. [22] But now he [God] has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his [God's] sight, without blemish and free from accusation --

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POINT 90:   Through the blood of Jesus Christ believers have redemption, the forgiveness of their sins.

      Ephesians 1:7-8 [7] In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace [8] that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.

   Forgiveness is not something which believers are to secure, it is something the blood has secured and which our faith has appropriated.

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POINT 100:   The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses (is continually cleansing) those who walk in the light, from all sin.

      1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

   QUESTION: Does this mean cleanses from the guilt that sin brings upon the sinner, or does it mean cleanses from the very presence of sin itself?

      Leviticus 16:30 because on this day atonement will be made for you, to cleanse you. Then, before the LORD, you will be clean from all your sins.

      Leviticus 17:11 For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one's life.

      Leviticus 14:19-20 [19] "Then the priest is to sacrifice the sin offering and make atonement for the one to be cleansed from his uncleanness. After that, the priest shall slaughter the burnt offering [20] and offer it on the altar, together with the grain offering, and make atonement for him, and he will be clean.

      Leviticus 14:30-31 [30] Then he shall sacrifice the doves or the young pigeons, which the person can afford, [31] one as a sin offering and the other as a burnt offering, together with the grain offering. In this way the priest will make atonement before the LORD on behalf of the one to be cleansed."

      Jeremiah 33:8 I will cleanse them from all the sin they have committed against me and will forgive all their sins of rebellion against me.

      Psalms 51:7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

      Revelation 1:5 [Welcome] [5] and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.

      Revelation 7:14 I answered, "Sir, you know." And he said, "These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

      Hebrews 9:22-23 [22] In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. [23] It was necessary, then, for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.

      Ephesians 1:7-8 [7] In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace [8] that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.

      Romans 3:25-26 [25] God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished -- [26] he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

      Romans 5:9 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him!

      Matthew 26:28 This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

   ANSWER: From these passages it is evident, that in Bible usage, cleansing by blood is cleansing from guilt. Through the shed blood of Christ, all who walk in the light are cleansed continuously -- every hour and minute -- from all the guilt of sin. There is absolutely no sin upon them; there may still be sin in them. It is not the blood, but the living Christ, and the Holy Spirit, who deal with that.

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POINT 110:   By (or in) the blood of Christ, believers are justified.

      Romans 5:9 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him!

   QUESTION: What is the difference between forgiveness and justification?

   ANSWER: Forgiveness is negative -- the putting away of sin: justification is positive -- the reckoning positively righteous. By reason of Christ's death there is an interchange of positions between Christ and the believer. In death, Christ takes over place of condemnation before God, and we take His place of acceptance before God.

      2 Corinthians 5:21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

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POINT 120:   Because of Christ's death, no one can lay blame on or condemn the elect (or the believer in Christ).

      Romans 8:33-34 [33] Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. [34] Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died -- more than that, who was raised to life -- is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.

   There is absolutely no condemnation for those who are in Jesus Christ -- the death of Christ has settled that forever.

      Romans 8:1-4 [1] Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, [2] because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. [3] For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, [4] in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit.

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POINT 130:   By the death of Jesus Christ, the whole church, and each believer, were purchased for God and are now His own property.

      Acts 20:28 Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.

      1 Corinthians 6:20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.

      Revelation 5:9-10 [9] And they sang a new song: "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. [10] You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth."

   We belong to God. Neither the Devil, nor the world, nor ourselves have any claims upon us. God will take care of His own property.

      Compare 1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

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POINT 140:   Through the offering of the body of Christ, believers in Him are sanctified.

      Hebrews 10:10 And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

   Every believer in Christ is sanctified. The sacrifice of Christ sets Him apart for God.

   Compare the following two passages:

      Exodus 11:7 But among the Israelites not a dog will bark at any man or animal. Then you will know that the LORD makes a distinction between Egypt and Israel.

      Exodus 12:13 The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are; and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt.

   We are to live out in our walk this separation between us and the world, which already exists by virtue of Christ's death.

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POINT 150:   By one offering -- i.e., the offering of His own life -- Jesus Christ has perfected us forever. Believers have been made forever perfect by the death of Christ.

      Hebrews 10:13-14 [13] Since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool, [14] because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.

   QUESTION: Is what sense have believers been made forever perfect?

   ANSWER: Hebrews 10:1-2 [1] The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming -- not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. [2] If it could, would they not have stopped being offered? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins.

   Believers have been made perfect in their standing before God, not perfect in their state. By the death of Christ the believer is forever cleansed from guilt. He need have no more conscience of sins. The blood removes all sense of guilt. The believer's sins are put away by the one all- sufficient sacrifice.

   A secular equivalent would be a full pardon from a governor; although the person committed the crime and was sentenced, the pardon restores all his rights, as if he had never committed the crime.

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POINT 160:   The blood of Christ cleanses the conscience of the believer from dead works to serve the living God.

      Hebrews 9:14 How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!

   Not only does the blood of Christ relieve the conscience of the believer from the burden of guilt, but also from the burden of his self-efforts to atone for sin and please God -- "dead works". Sin is seen entirely settled by the perfect sacrifice, and not the believer, with a conscience free from guilt, and also from the burden of his own imperfect works, enters into the service of the living God in the liberty and power of sonship.

      (Compare Romans 8:15 For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father.")

   There are many today who call themselves Christians who have not permitted the blood of Christ to cleanse their conscience from "dead works." They are constantly under the burden of doing something to atone for sin and to commend themselves to God. We have nothing to do; it is all done. The blood of Christ has forever commended us to God.

      (2 Corinthians 5:21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.)

      Romans 3:21-22 [21] But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. [22] This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference,

   There are three classes of men:

   (a)   Those who feel no burden from sin, but love it.

   (b)   Those who are burdened by sin, and seek to get rid of the burden by self-efforts, by doing something to atone for it and commend themselves to God -- "dead works." No peace can be found along this line, nor real love to and service of God.

   (c)   Those who believe in Christ and His atoning blood, and see their sin settled forever by his Death, and so have a conscience cleansed from both guilt and "dead works." Their hearts are filled with love to God, and they serve the living God in the freedom of the love born of a faith in the cleansing and perfecting blood.

   Reviser's Note: I would add the following:

   (d)   Those who feel burdened by their sin but who feel that their sin is so great that God can't possibly forgive them.

   (e)   Those who feel burdened by their sin but who feel that they are so insignificant and their life is so meaningless, of such little value, that God simply ignores them or has forgotten about them, and therefore, they feel they can't take advantage of Jesus' sacrifice.

      These groups also might be considered sub-categories of (a):

   (f)   "Ivory Soap" believers. They think it's enough to be "ninety-nine and forty-four/one- hundredths percent pure." They feel that they are relieved of the burden of their sin by Christ's sacrifice because they abide by God's commands in most of their activities.

   (g)   Those who want to be Christian, who feel the burden of their sin. However, there are a few worldly advantages they would have to give up if they became Christian, so they figure they'll change later.

   (h)   Those who, out of arrogance and/or pride, refuse to believe because it would mean having to follow someone else's moral code.

170.044.160a       Torrey: no
POINT 160a:   There is a clear distinction between (a) good works that are a component part of faith and evidence of faith, and (b) "dead" works done as a propitiation for one's sins.

   OBJECTION TO POINT 160: The following passages indicate that good works are required.

      James 2:14, 17, 20 [14] What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? [17] In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. [20] You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?

      Luke 10:33-36 [33] But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. [34] He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. [35] The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. "Look after him," he said, "and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have." [36] Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?

      Matthew 25:34-46 [34] "Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. [35] For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, [36] I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'

      [37] "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? [38] When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? [39] When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' [40] "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

      [41] "Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. [42] For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, [43] I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.'

      [44] "They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?' [45] "He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'

      [46] "Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."

   ANSWER: The above passages from James have deliberately been taken out of context, as is frequently done. In context, the meaning is quite different. Throughout, the Bible states that Man is justified by faith alone.

   The above passages are defining faith. Faith is not a mere intellectual exercise. I believe with all my heart that Europe, Asia, and Africa exist. However, that belief does not require any action on my part. James is saying that doing good works is a component part of faith. Believers don't do good works to "make a good impression on the Boss", to "score points" or to atone for sins. Believers do good works because they get pleasure and satisfaction out of sharing Christ's love and blessings and seeing other righteous people prosper. The Good Samaritan didn't help the robbery victim because Mosaic Law or the Pharisees or Jesus told him to -- he helped the victim because it was right, because he loved his neighbor.

   (Conversely, believers have no qualms about deliberately creating burdens for the unrighteous, e.g., "I know you do quality work at a good price. I also know you have been having some financial problems and you could really use this work. But I also know how terrible you treat your employees (or: I know you don't discourage drug usage by your employees). Until you learn to treat people fairly, I'll take my business elsewhere.")

   In context, the meaning of James' teaching (and the fact that it does not conflict with Paul's teaching that we are justified by faith alone) is clear:

      James 2:14-26 [14] What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? [15] Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. [16] If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? [17] In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

      [18] But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. [19] You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that -- and shudder.

      [20] You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? [21] Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? [22] You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. [23] And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteous- ness," and he was called God's friend. [24] You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.

      [25] In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? [Reviser's Note: Joshua 2:1] [26] As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.

170.044.170       Torrey: p161, T:IV(2), P:17
POINT 170:   By the blood of Christ -- because of His death -- the believer has boldness to enter into the holy place, into the very presence of God.

      Hebrews 10:19-22 [19] Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, [20] by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, [21] and since we have a great priest over the house of God, [22] let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.

   God is holy? Yes. And I am a sinner? Yes; but by the wondrous offering of Christ, "once for all," I am perfected; and on the ground of that blood, so precious to God, I can march boldly into the very presence of God.

170.044.180       Torrey: p162, T:IV(2), P:18
POINT 180:   Because of the cleansing power of the shed blood of Jesus, those who have washed their robes in it have the right to come to the tree of life and to enter by the portals into the city.

      Revelation 22:14 Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city.

      Compare Genesis 3:22-24 [22] And the LORD God said, "The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever." [23] So the LORD God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken. [24] After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life.

170.044.190       Torrey: p162, T:IV(2), P:19
POINT 190:   Because of the death of Christ, believers shall live together with Him.

      Revelation 7:14-15 [14] I answered, "Sir, you know." And he said, "These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. [15] Therefore, "they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them.

170.044.200       Torrey: p162, T:IV(2), P:20
POINT 200:   Because of the cleansing power of Jesus' blood, those who wash their robes and make them white in it shall be before the throne of God.

   Christ on the cross opens the way for others before the throne.

   NOTE: These seem to be the tribulation believers. We shall be on the throne, not before it.

      Revelation 3:21 To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne.

170.044.210       Torrey: p162, T:IV(2), P:21
POINT 210:   Because of Christ's death for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first covenant, they who have been called receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.

      Hebrews 9:15 For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance -- now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.

170.044.220       Torrey: p162, T:IV(2), P:22
POINT 220:   In the death of Christ, we died. In His crucifixion we were crucified. When He was nailed to the cross our old selves were nailed to the cross with Him. This is our real position because of His death.

      Romans 6:3, 6, 8 [3] Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? [6] For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin -- [8] Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.

      Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

      Galatians 6:14 May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

      2 Corinthians 5:14 For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.

   Christian living consists in living this out in life. As I was crucified I should see self on the cross in the place of the curse (as a cursed thing) and no longer try to live, but let Christ live in me. As the old self was crucified I should reckon myself dead unto sin but alive in Christ Jesus.

      Romans 6:11 In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

   How few of us see ourselves where the death of Christ put us. This is the great reason why the risen Christ cannot live the fullness of His resurrection life in us. We must be dead with Christ before we can live with Him.

170.044.230       Torrey: p163, T:IV(2), P:23
POINT 230:   By His death, Christ serves as an example that we should follow in His steps.

      1 Peter 2:21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps."

      Matthew 16:24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

   This was evidently not the main purpose of Jesus' death, as so many make it today, but an incidental result.

      1 Peter 1:18-19 [18] For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, [19] but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.

170.044.240       Torrey: p163, T:IV(2), P:24
POINT 240:   In the death of His Son God has given the believer a guarantee that He will freely give us all things.

      Romans 8:32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all -- how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

170.044.250       Torrey: p163, T:IV(2), P:25
POINT 250:   By His death, Jesus Christ has delivered all those who were subject to bondage through fear of death.

      Hebrews 2:14-15 [14] Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death -- that is, the devil -- [15] and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.

170.046.000       Torrey: p163, T:IV(3)
Topic 46:   The Results of Christ's Death in Relation to the Devil and the Powers of Darkness.

170.046.010       Torrey: p163, T:IV(3), P:1
POINT 10:   Through Christ's death the casting out of the prince of this world is secured.

      John 12:28-33 [28] "Father, glorify your name!" Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it, and will glorify it again." [29] The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him. [30] Jesus said, "This voice was for your benefit, not mine. [31] Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. [32] But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself." [33] He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.

   Since Christ's death, Satan is a usurper whose ultimate dethronement is secured.

170.046.020       Torrey: p164, T:IV(3), P:2
POINT 20:   Through the death of Christ, the Devil is brought to naught and rendered ineffective.

      Hebrews 2:14-15 [14] Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death -- that is, the devil -- [15] and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.

   The death of Christ was death to Satan's power. He could no longer wield the power of death over those who appropriated to themselves the virtue of Christ's death.

170.046.030       Torrey: p164, T:IV(3), P:3
POINT 30:   In the death of Christ on the cross God triumphed over the principalities and the powers and exposed them to open disgrace.

      Colossians 2:15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

   As to what these principalities and powers are, see:

      Ephesians 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

   It was in the cross of Christ that God fought the decisive battle, and won the decisive victory over the Devil. The moment of Satan's seeming victory was the moment of his overwhelming defeat. He is now a conquered foe. In the cross God celebrated a triumph over him. The whole meaning of this conflict and this victory at the cross will be, I believe, a subject for contemplation and wonder at the manifold wisdom of God in the eternal world.

170.048.000       Torrey: p164, T:IV(4)
Topic 48:   The Results of Christ's Death in Relation to the Material Universe.

170.048.010       Torrey: p163, T:IV(4), P:1
POINT 10:   Through the death of Christ the whole of the Material Universe -- "all things, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven" -- is reconciled to God.

   The Material Universe has fallen away from God in connection with sin.

      Romans 8:20-21 [20] For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope [21] that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.

      Genesis 3:18 It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field.

   Not only earth, but heaven has been invaded and polluted by sin.

      Ephesians 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

      Hebrews 9:23-24 [23] It was necessary, then, for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. [24] For Christ did not enter a man-made sanctuary that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God's presence.

   Through the death of Jesus Christ this pollution is removed. Just as the blood of the Old Testament sacrifice was taken into the most holy place, a type of heaven, Christ has taken the blood of the better sacrifice into heaven itself and cleansed it.

      See Romans 8:21, above.

      2 Peter 3:13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.

   The atonement of Christ has an immense sweep -- far beyond the reach of our human philosophies. We have just begun to understand that blood that was spilled on Calvary means. Sin is a far more awful, ruinous and far-reaching evil than we have been wont to think, but the blood of Christ has a power and efficiency, the fullness of which only eternity will disclose.

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