Is Christ a Servant of Sin?

Is Christ a Servant of Sin?

“But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is Christ therefore a servant of sin? Certainly not!” V. 17.

The Jews did not want to humble themselves to the point where they were considered to be sinners like the heathen. They sought to be justified by the law and did not want to have a Mediator. However, Paul, in the end, had to admit that he could not be justified by works of the law, but only through faith in Christ. But since Christ justifies sinners, the natural question is: Is Christ a servant of sin? Well, He would be if He justified a sinner who continued to sin.

We can say that Jesus covers us up while His righteousness is imputed to us sinners. But if we, while under this cover—His imputed righteousness—continue to sin, then we make Christ a servant of sin. Making Christ a servant of sin is precisely what most preachers in these days are doing. They do not believe in victory over sin—personal righteousness—but rather that Jesus has done everything and we shall do nothing, and that we are safe under the blood.

It is as if I covered up for a criminal, and he continued to commit criminal acts and consoled himself with the idea that the covering would continue. This is how believers console themselves that the “work on Calvary” is sufficient. Satan is the originator of this kind of preaching of Christ. It is the mystery of lawlessness.

“For if I build again those things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.” V. 18. Paul had destroyed justification by the works of the law. If he were to build it up again, so that after they were justified in Christ, they would be put under the law so as not to continue as sinners, Paul would have been wrong, seeing that he had broken that down.

This was the case with the Galatians. They were justified by faith in Christ, as sinners; but there were some who had put them under the law again that they might not continue as sinners. That would amount to the old patchwork all over again. It is as if I were to say to the criminal for whom I covered up and took under my protection: “If you continue to commit criminal acts I cannot protect you anymore. You cannot manage to break completely with your criminal life; but here are some rules. Keep them, and things will go well.”

This is how it is done in the religious groups today. First they say to the sinner that he can come as he is and be justified by faith in Christ. However, they also understand that he cannot continue as before, because then the scandals would be too great. Even though they believed that the protection would hold before God, so that God did not see him but only Jesus, this would not be good enough before people, because they expect to see a completely new life. Consequently they put the justified sinner under the law and say: “Now you must not swear, drink, dance, play cards, steal, etc.” There is a big discussion going on about whether he can smoke, go to the cinema, get his hair styled, and many more such things. Opinions about what they can and cannot do vary in the various groups. If they keep to the regulations so that outwardly they become respectable people, they are considered good members, especially if they tithe.

But of course the law cannot keep them in place, and once in a while there are great scandals. Then they usually comfort themselves with David’s fall (he who was also under the law) and say, “We cannot be perfect; we must not look at people, but at Jesus.”

What was it, then, that was not understood by the Galatians and which the believers of today also do not understand, seeing that they are trying to keep the law? Paul says, “I am crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live.” In other words, it is the death of Christ that is the mystery. 2 Cor. 4:10-11. Consequently, we hear only about being invited to the foot of the cross and that Jesus died for us.

Paul tried to explain to the Galatians that after they were justified by faith in Christ, they had to die with Him, for it is only the new creation that avails anything, and those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Gal. 5:16-25. What happens then to tobacco, the cinema, fornication, thievery, etc.? So Paul wanted to glory only in the cross of Christ, “by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” Peter says, “Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.” 1 Pet. 2:24.

No one can be justified by the law, but rather by faith in Christ who redeemed us from the curse of the law that we might receive the promise of the Spirit. Gal. 3:11-14. Instead of the law, which previously did its work with us (chastened us to Christ), so now it is the Spirit who shall do His work. Then we will not continue to be sinners under the protection of the blood, but we are being transformed into the image of Christ from glory to glory. 2 Cor. 3:17-18.