29. Divine exchange.

The Lord has not only been merciful to us by not treating us as our sins deserve but he has also been gracious to us, to give us gifts that we didn’t deserve! Not only has he taken away our sins, curses and sickness but has given us something very valuable instead! This divine exchange is what makes the gospel the ‘good news of great joy that will be for all the people.’ (Luke 2:10)

1. Righteousness instead of sin: Not only has He taken away our sin in his mercy but also has graciously given us his righteousness that we didn’t deserve! ‘God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we MIGHT BECOME the righteousness of God.’ – (2 Corinthians 5:21) Whoever believes the Lord, he credits the righteousness of Jesus to them, just as ‘Abraham believed the Lord and he credited it to him as righteousness.’ – (Genesis 15:6) ‘The words “it was credited to him” were written not for him alone, but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness – for us who believe in him who raised Jesus from the dead.’ – (Romans 4:23-24) The Holy Spirit comes to impart this righteousness to us.

2. Blessings instead of curses: Not only has he taken away our curses in his mercy but also has graciously given us his blessings that he gave to Abraham. ‘He redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us … in order that the blessing given to Abraham MIGHT COME to the Gentiles through Jesus Christ …’ – (Galatians 3:13-14) Because those who believe like Abraham are reckoned as the children of Abraham! ‘Understand , then, that those who believe are children of Abraham. The Scriptures foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.’ – (Galatians 3:7-9)

3. Healing instead of sickness: Not only has he taken away our sicknesses in his mercy but also has graciously given us healing in Christ. ‘Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows. He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him and by his wounds WE ARE (not might be) healed.’ – (Isaiah 53:54-5) To receive the righteousness and the blessings, its imperative (of vital importance; crucial) that we receive the Holy Spirit or be born again but to receive healing, we need not necessarily receive the Spirit or be born again! All who came to Christ received healing unconditionally without even having received the Spirit. Moreover, the Bible affirms that we are healed because God ‘calls things that are not as though they were.’ – (Romans 4:17)

Apostle Peter summed up the divine exchange in these words: “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.” – (1 Peter 3:24) Amen.