Understanding the Great Exchange in 2 Corinthians 5:21

2 Corinthians 5:21

21 For he has made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

The scripture found in 2 Corinthians 5:21 reveals the profound mystery of the plan of salvation, where the sinless Son of God took upon Himself our sinful nature and the penalty of our transgressions so that we could be credited with His perfect divine characterLUJ 21.2+2.

The Great Exchange: Made to be Sin

In the economy of grace, a literal exchange takes place between the sinner and the SaviourSITI March 25, 1886, page 183.12. Jesus Christ, the spotless Lamb of God who knew no sin and in whose mouth was no guile, was "made to be sin" for us 1 Peter 2:221SM 321.4+2.

• Bearing the Penalty: This does not mean Christ became a sinner Himself, but rather that He bore the penalty of the law and the weight of the world's iniquity as our substitute Isaiah 53:6ATO 7.3+2.

• Identifying with Humanity: He identified His interests with ours, taking upon Himself our actual sinful nature and all the weaknesses of the flesh, yet remained without a single trace of sin in His life Hebrews 4:15CHR 27.3+2.

• The Perfect Confession: Because He was our representative, He even made a perfect confession of our sins on our behalf, which allows our imperfect prayers to be accepted by God in His righteousnessGCB/GCDB 1895, page 302.9+1.

The Gift of Divine Righteousness

The purpose of Christ being made sin was so that we might be "made the righteousness of God in Him"1SM 392.2+2.

• Imputed Righteousness: This righteousness is a free gift of God that is placed to the account of every believing soul who accepts the atonement by faith Romans 5:17POSDAI 24.2+1.

• A New Raiment: Our own righteousness is described as "filthy rags," but Christ takes those away and clothes us in a robe of His own righteousness, woven in the loom of heaven Isaiah 64:621MR 298.3+2.

• Restoring the Image of God: Through this vital union with Christ, we are recreated in the image of God, receiving a new heart and the power to live in harmony with His holy law 2 Corinthians 5:17ST August 21, 1893, par. 2+2.

The Role of the Law and the Gospel

While the law is the standard of righteousness, it cannot provide righteousness to a sinner; its purpose is to reveal sin and show us our need of a Saviour Romans 3:20KCMS 1.1+2.

• Christ as the Purpose: Christ is the "end" or purpose of the law for righteousness, meaning He does for us what the law cannot do because of the weakness of our flesh Romans 10:4+1KCMS 1.1+1.

• Fullness in Him: In Christ dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily, and by beholding His love and claiming His righteousness, we are transformed into His moral likeness Colossians 2:9-101MCP 337.3+1.

• Standing with Angels: When we are clothed in this divine righteousness, we stand before God as if we had never sinned, qualified to minister in His presence and stand with the angels Zechariah 3:1-8KCMS 1.1+2.

Ultimately, this truth is the core of the gospel: that God, who is no respecter of persons, has provided a complete offering so that every repenting soul may be delivered from condemnation and receive the gift of eternal life Romans 5:18NL 7.1+2. 🌟