CRIME, DEBT, AND ENMITY

ROMANS 5:6–10

For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life

(Rom. 5:10).

Today we will consider three ways in which we have violated the justice of God. First, sin is a crime against God. It is “cosmic treason.” In the smallest sin, we defy God’s right to rule and reign over His creation. In the smallest sin, we seek to usurp for ourselves the power and authority that belongs to God. In the slightest sin, we do violence to His glory, to His holiness, to His righteousness. It is indeed an act of treason against the cosmic King. Historically, treason is one of those few crimes that has been regarded as a capital offense, and so it is a capital offense biblically. The soul that sins shall die. A just God does not allow crime to go unpunished. He is a God of law and order, and His justice demands that we be punished.

Second, when we sin, we incur a debt. When God commands us to do something, by virtue of His authority (His right to command), He imposes an absolute obligation for us to obey. When we do not keep that obligation, we become indebted to God. We are debtors who are not able to pay our debts. We have a structure in our society to cover those who are unable to pay their debts, but we cannot cover the debt we have incurred against God. There is no Chapter 11 bankruptcy with God.

Third, when we sin, we are estranged from God. We become His enemies. When we break His law, we violate the personal relationship we have with God. The breaking of that relationship leaves us in serious jeopardy. Think in terms of our relationships with one another (and this is nothing compared to our relationship with God). When we sin against someone, we violate him, and that relationship is broken. So it is with God; we have sinned against Him and have become His enemies.

As you can see, we have three very serious problems as we try to live before God. In our sin, we have committed a crime, and a penalty must be paid. We have incurred a debt that we cannot pay. And we have created a situation of enmity that requires some kind of reconciliation. So, why the God-Man? Our crime, debt, and enmity demands satisfaction, and that satisfaction can only be met by the God-Man, Jesus Christ.

CORAM DEO

Jeremiah 46–48

Hebrews 4

WEEKEND

Jeremiah 49–52

Hebrews 5–6

Have you ever thought of your sins as crimes? Have you thought of yourself as a bankrupt debtor, or as an enemy of God’s kingdom? What can you do on your own to effect reconciliation with God in these three areas? Thank God that He has provided a Way for you to be right with Him beyond your own resources.

For further study: Gen. 3:3 • Job 8:4 • Ezek. 18:4, 20, 26 • Matt. 18:25

WEEKEND