Reconciliation Only by Satisfaction
Minister: |
Rev. Ronald Van Overloop |
Date: |
9/2/2018 AM
|
Text:
|
Exodus 34;
Lord's Day 5
|
Psalters: |
413, 38, 109, 162 |
- The necessity.
- Reconciliation implies a friendship: God created a bond of intimate friendship between Himself and man in Adam.
- God can bestow favor ONLY on those who have satisfied His justice.
- God cannot overlook sin, for then He would be unrighteous.
- If man is to have God’s favor, it can only be in accordance with God's perfect justice (Ex. 23:7b; 34:7; Isa. 1:27).
- Salvation requires paying the full penalty for all sins and sinfulness AND by rendering perfect love each moment.
- The satisfaction of God's justice is impossible for us.
- Our old man by nature constantly tries to find ways to earn the favor of God and of men.
- But it is utterly hopeless for every sinner.
- First, our debt cannot be paid (even spending an eternity in hell for each sin).
- Second, hell does not earn favor; it only fulfills an obligation (like paying a bill).
- Third, our "good works" cannot satisfy God's justice for past sins and past guilt.
- Also, no mere man could qualify as a proper substitute for us.
- Nor can satisfaction be made for us by another creature!
- It is truly hopeless to look to man for the possibility of reconciliation between God and man.
- God Himself provides the only possibility (Eph. 2:4,5).
- The only kind of Mediator must meet three requirements (Matthew 1:23).
- God does everything necessary for us, including satisfying His own justice.
- Application.