What is meant by “Christ died for our sins?”
Question:
The Bible says that Christ died for our sins. Does this mean that he died for the forgiveness of our sins?
Answer:
"For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures" (I Corinthians 15:3).
The English word "for" is used in a variety of situations and ends up translating a number of Greek words that have different meanings. In this case, the Greek word huper is being used. In this context, huper means "on account of" or "in order to deal with." We were separated from God because of our sins and had no means to correct the situation. Jesus gave his life so that we might be reconciled to God.
"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life" (Romans 5:8-10).
"Remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ" (Ephesians 2:12-13).
Included in bringing us back to God is that we are forgiven of our sins.
Question:
Since we have been forgiven of our sins by Christ's death, why do we ask to forgive us again when we pray?
Answer:
Implied in your question is a belief that everyone is saved because Jesus paid the debt of our sins.
But everyone is not saved. Paul lists numerous sins that will keep people out of heaven (I Corinthians 6:9-10; Galatians 5:19-21). Christ's death did not eradicate sin from the world. While Christ has died to offer men salvation, God expects men to do something to accept His gracious offer. See:
Those who have been saved are commanded not to continue sinning. "What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?" (Romans 6:1-2). Thus, even though I had been forgiven of my sins, the possibility remains that I may sin again. Those sins need to be forgiven as well, which means I am required to do something about them. "If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us" (I John 1:8-10). This is why Christians are taught to wage war against sin. "Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world" (I Peter 5:8-9).
Christianity is not an effortless religion.
Response:
Thank you for answering all my questions with Scripture. That is something that no other preacher has done. I know now what to look for and the questions to ask when I shop for a true church of the Lord. When I have questions, I will return to your place.
