In this chapter on the perfection of the atonement, Murray starts out with the truth that the atonement of
Christ is the only satisfaction for the punishment of sin and that it is so
perfect it leaves absolutely zero penal liability for the believer to pay
through their own merits.
To pretend as if we have any part in the satisfaction for the payment
of our sin impinges on the completeness of Christ’s work.
Murray next points out some of the features of Christ’s once for all
finished work.
1)Historic Objectivity: Christ’s
work was a once for all historical event that precedes any and every
recognition or response on the part of those whom He has saved. The atonement was accomplished at some point
in history, and there is an importance to recognize that there is a
significance to this time period of Christ’s incarnation and subsequent
death.
2)The Finality: Christ’s work is
complete, never to be repeated and by its nature, unrepeatable. Although Christ continues his priestly work
in heaven even today, this does not take away from the once for all work of his
death on the cross. Murray clearly
points out that we must be clear to distinguish between the sacrificial offering
and the continued activity of our high priest.
3)Uniqueness: Although Christ gives us an example as the suffering
Servant to follow in his steps, there is never the expectation that we, as
sinners, can play a part in our own expiation, propitiation, reconciliation and
redemption. Just as we cannot take on
the role as Prophet or King from Christ, neither can we take on the part of
Priest.
4)Intrinsic Efficacy: The work of Christ was not intended to assuage
the Father or to constrain Him to be loving or merciful but the atonement was initiated
through the Father’s provision.
Commentary: Salvation is only as
good as the foundation that supports it.
If our salvation is based on Christ’s work, and His alone, then we
rightly have the confidence that it is founded on the merits of one who was and
is truly without sin. As the God-man, it
is Christ alone who could fully reconcile us with the Father despite our open rebellion
against Him. If instead, we would rather
place our salvation in something other than Christ then we must be fully aware
of the consequence of doing so. What do
we trust more than the holy, faithful, loving God? Is it our possessions, our talents, our
relationships or perhaps our being itself?
Whatever we decide is going to be the foundation for our beliefs and our
actions, that is what undergirds our salvation.
Where Christ saves from sin, possessions save us only from poverty,
talents save us only from mediocrity, relationships save only from loneliness
and our being itself saves us only from nothingness. If we are cognizant of our sin and desire a
perfect atonement, Christ, and His work alone, is the only answer….there is no
other way.
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