The Grand Substitution

In part 1, we provide detailed scriptural descriptions and definitions to the question “What is sin?” (part 1, chapter 1). In this chapter, we also address standards by which human conduct is determined to be offensive, or not, to God. In part 1, chapter 2, we address the sin nature by defining it and then describing its conduct from the perspectives of Jesus, the apostle Paul, and the apostle John. We then recommend steps necessary to control and defeat it. In concluding this chapter, we present a diagram depicting the interaction of the soul/heart with the conscience and the Spirit of Christ as they fight against the sin nature and Satan in the battleground of the mind, through to the outcome of good deeds, no action, or sinful actions. In part 1, chapter 3, we address the question, “Who is a sinner?” We answer this question by describing personal experiences and by examining certain scripture that reveals perspectives from Jesus, David, other Old Testament writers, the apostle Paul, and the apostle John. We address these perspectives from two points of view:

· sin that occurs outside a person, such as actions and inactions that are offensive to God, and

· sin that occurs inside a person, such as thoughts, attitudes, dispositions, and the source of conduct offensive to God.

We then conclude this chapter by stating the position: “We are all sinners by nature and actions,’’ with the hope that, based upon the discussions presented, this statement will not be offensive to some readers.

In part 2, we address the second element of the substitution: righteousness. Here we present three chapters addressing various aspects of righteousness. In chapter 4, we examine human/practical righteousness from the perspectives of

· human laws and standards,

· traditions and customs of society,

· conscience-based morality, and

· laws and guidelines in scripture.

In chapter 5, we discuss self-righteousness from the perspective of what it promotes:

· A fallacy of perfection

· False reliance on birthright entitlement

· False confidence in the efficacy of one’s own righteousness

· Intolerance for those considered to be less perfect

· False reliance on the efficacy of the law

Then in chapter 6, we discuss imputed righteousness with much more profundity than that presented in The Imputation Triangle. First, we define the word impute and give Old Testament illustrations of imputation. Following this, we dive into the imputation of righteousness to Abraham and Paul’s extrapolation of this righteousness to believers in Christ. Finally, in concluding this chapter, we briefly examine Paul’s defense of the doctrine of justification by faith.

Part 3 brings both sin and righteousness in one transaction that demonstrates the Grand Substitution: God’s righteousness for humans’ sin. We present this part in three chapters wherein we consider the agents involved in the substitution, as well as why and how the transaction was executed. We diagram this transaction to show that, on one side, we have sinful humanity; on the other side, we have an infinitely holy God; and in the middle, we have the mediator, Christ.

We follow this depiction in discussing characteristics of sinful humanity (chapter 7); relevant attributes of God’s divine nature (chapter 8); and the Mediator, Christ, as the Lamb and foundation stone and as the agent breaking down the middle wall of partition in effecting the substitution (chapter 9). Finally, in this chapter, we also show the involvement of all three agents (human, Christ, God) in executing the substitution transaction. The end results of this transaction are

· justification of humans by grace through faith,

· forgiveness and cleansing of their sins,

· imputation of God’s righteousness to them,

· their reconciliation with God through Christ’s atonement, and

· ultimately, eternal life and heaven.

All these accomplishments can be concluded in one word: salvation.

Part 4 seeks to help believers attain assurance of this salvation. In doing so, we present some of my personal experiences (chapter 10), the key to attaining this assurance (chapter 11), and security of the believer (chapter 12).

As can be observed from the contents noted above, one of the purposes of this book is to delve into the more profound parts of scripture that are often ignored.