He Gave Himself
In this case Paul is saying Jesus gave Himself for our sin so He gave Himself over to die for our sin to be taken away because the wages of sin is death. So now where is my sin and yours as well? The price was paid so the merchandise (sin) has been taken by the One who paid the price and it no longer belongs to the one that used to own it. It now belongs to the One who paid for it. Once He had paid for the sin He took it to the grave and buried it and rose without it.
Am I saying we no longer commit anything that would be classified as sin? No, of course not but one thing I know for sure is that the penalty for whatever sin it is has been paid for. I no longer have to think I may have at some point in time pay for that sin, as far as in God’s eyes is concerned because He saw Jesus had taken the sin of the world and He was satisfied. Everything between God and mankind has been dealt with and there is no longer any penalty for mankind to pay. Jesus paid the price and took the “merchandize” to the grave and resurrected with a new race of people without sin!!! He rose again with a new race of people that had never existed before because He had done away with the race under Adam that lived and operated out of a sinful nature.
There was a price to pay for the sinful condition of man that was required under the Law of Moses. The people under that old covenant had a price to pay through judgment by God. That judgment was taken by Jesus on the cross. There were sacrifices offered to cover their sin yearly so they could at least have some peace in their lives. But at the end of the year it had to be done all over again because it only covered sin and did not take it away. The sacrifice of animals could never take away sin.
A perfect sacrifice was required and it had to be one that was without blemish and blameless and perfect in every way. This of course could not be found on this earth, not only in animals but it could not be found in any human being either because none were without sin. There were none righteous, no not one. That is why God became a man and became the perfect sacrifice that was required of God to make peace with mankind. It was just not possible any other way.
The price has been paid. The Lamb was slain. The Son of God has risen. He paid the price in full for all. If the price has been paid then why is it still preached there is a price to pay? If I go somewhere and buy something for you, are you going to be so foolish enough to think you will have to pay for it again after I have paid it in full? Of course we know that no one would even think of doing that. But is that not what the evangelical church is preaching week after week? Mankind’s sin has already been paid for and the least of my worries is that someday I will have to pay the price. If that is the case then the Son of God did not pay the price. I believe wholeheartedly that He did and He secured my eternity as well as the eternity of all mankind. It is finished.
