Read Romans 5:15-17
Federal headship is not a well known doctrine in the Christian church. We touched on the issue yesterday regarding Adam’s federal headship over the entire human race. Today we touch on Jesus’ federal headship.
Paul compares and contrasts the gift of Jesus Christ with the trespass of Adam. One led to death. the other led to life. One brought condemnation, the other brought justification. One caused death to reign and the other caused us to reign in life. One made us sinners, the other saints.
The key to understanding headship is idea of imputation. Adam’s sin is imputed to all humanity and brought death to all. When Jesus came into the world the sins of humanity were imputed upon Christ. He was punished for the sins of the world (John 1:29). God poured out His wrath upon Jesus and not upon the entire world.
Upon being resurrected from the dead, the righteousness of Christ was imputed to the account of all who believe in Jesus. Everyone who puts their faith in Jesus have His righteousness imputed to them. His perfection is credited to their account and their imperfections are dealt with once for all at the cross! There is a simple transfer happening. My sins are transferred to Christ and are punished fully and completely at the cross. His righteousness is transferred to me and I am treated by God as if I am perfectly righteous.
It can be pictured and explained thus:
As I am, I stand before God with a series of good and bad deeds (ticks and crosses). God, however, has said that one cross is too much. I deserve to be punished even if I have just one cross.
Jesus comes into the world. Being perfect has no crosses. He alone deserves glory, honour and praise.
If we understand that we are saved by God’s grace and not of our own efforts then we can humbly and loving help others find that salvation too, without appearing proud or arrogant.
1. What are other implications or out workings of having our sins imputed to Christ and his righteousness imputed to us?
2. Is it fair that God should impute Adam’s sin to all humanity? Explain your answer.
3. Is it fair that God would impute the righteousness of Christ only to those who believe?
Intro: A disciple is different to a consumer. A consumer comes to Christ to get something. A disciple comes to Jesus to learn and to grow and to be like Him.
Discuss the things in your life that are more towards the consumer end and those that are more at the disciple end. Where does the balance lie?
Read Luke 9:23
Explain the marks of a true disciple?
What would this verse say if it were written to a consumer?
Pray together that you would be a true disciple of Jesus, willing to follow Him everywhere.
Intro: A disciple is different to a consumer. A consumer comes to Christ to get something. A disciple comes to Jesus to learn and to grow and to be like Him.
Discuss the things in your life that are more towards the consumer end and those that are more at the disciple end. Where does the balance lie?
Read Luke 9:23
Explain the marks of a true disciple?
What would this verse say if it were written to a consumer?
Pray together that you would be a true disciple of Jesus, willing to follow Him everywhere.
No comments:
Post a Comment