Replaced. Our minds find it difficult to comprehend the magnitude of Christ’s love for us when He took our place – of sin, judgment, death – and replaced it with his righteousness, forgiveness, and life.
- Sin was replaced by His righteousness
- Judgement was replaced by His forgiveness
- Death was replaced by His life
Replaced by a Divine Substitute
Jesus Christ became our substitute. Christ’s death on the cross is the greatest act of love ever demonstrated toward us. When Jesus took our place on the cross, He was like a lamb going to the slaughter. Jesus Christ bore our sins, punishment, and judgment on the cross for us, then replaced it with an invitation for love, salvation, and healing.
“For Christ [the Messiah Himself died for sins once for all, the Righteous for the unrighteous (the Just for the unjust, the Innocent for the guilty), that He might bring us to God. In His human body He was put to death, but He was made alive in the spirit.” ~ 1 Peter 3:18 AMPC
“He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” ~2 Corinthians 5:21 NASB
“But God demonstrated His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” ~Romans 5:8 NASB
Crucified with Christ
On the cross, our old nature was crucified with Him, and our new self was raised with Him. When we believe in Christ Jesus as Lord, we find the miracle of transformation.
“I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. That life which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself up for me.” ~Galatians 2:20 WEB
“For if we have become one with Him [permanently united] in the likeness of His death, we will also certainly be [one with Him and share fully] in the likeness of His resurrection. We know that our old self [our human nature without the Holy Spirit] was nailed to the cross with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin. For the person who has died [with Christ] has been freed from [the power of] sin.” ~Romans 6:5-7 AMP
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom can be no variation, nor turning shadow.” ~James 1:17 WEB
Sin was Replaced by His Righteousness
The miracle of transformation took place when Jesus took our sin upon Himself, then clothed us with His righteousness. We became His workmanship.
“He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” ~2 Corinthians 5:21 NASB
“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before that we would walk in them.” ~Ephesians 2:10 WEB
Judgment was Replaced by His Forgiveness
God takes away our judgment, grants us forgiveness, and reconciles or restores us to Himself. We are no longer regarded as sinners, but as believers. The chains of sin are broken off of us.
“But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.”
“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” ~Ephesians 2:4-10 NASB
Death was Replaced by His Life
God grafts us into His family. We are transformed into Christ’s likeness before the Father.
“Therefore if anyone is in Christ [that is, grafted in, joined to Him by faith in Him as Savior], he is a new creature [reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit]; the old things [the previous moral and spiritual condition] have passed away. Behold, new things have come [because spiritual awakening brings a new life].”
“But all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ [making us acceptable to Him] and gave us the ministry of reconciliation [so that by our example we might bring others to Him], that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting people’s sins against them [but canceling them]. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation [that is, restoration to favor with God].” ~2 Corinthians 5:17-19 AMP
“And we [have seen and] know [by personal experience] that the Son of God has [actually] come [to this world], and has given us understanding and insight so that we may [personally] know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true – in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.” ~1 John 5:20 AMP
“Therefore if anyone is in Christ [that is, grafted in, joined to Him by faith in Him as Savior], he is a new creature [reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit]; the old things [the previous moral and spiritual condition] have passed away. Behold, new things have come [because spiritual awakening brings a new life].” ~2 Corinthians 5:17 AMP
Recommendations
Want Access to God? Jesus is the Way – Strength with Dignity
How to Find God – Strength with Dignity
References
38 Bible Verses about Substitution. Published by Knowing Jesus. Retrieved August 24, 2023, from 38 Bible verses about Substitution (knowing-jesus.com)
Amplified Bible (AMP) Copyright 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631.
Amplified Bible, Classis Edition (AMPC) Copyright 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation.
Jesus Was Your Substitute. Published by Believers. Retrieved August 24, 2023, from Jesus Was Your Substitute (believers.org)
New American Standard Bible 1995 (NASB 1995), copyright 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.
Wellman, Jack. 13 Important Bible Verses about Change. Published November 25, 2019 by Christian Quotes. Retrieved August 24, 2023, from 13 Important Bible Verses About Change | ChristianQuotes.info
World English Bible (WEB) by Public Domain. The name “World English Bible” is trademarked.
Bible Gateway Blogger Grid Member #bgbg2 #BibleGateway
Every Friday, I join an online Christian writing community, Five Minute Friday. The one word prompt this week is replaced.
15 thoughts on “Replaced by the Most Amazing Substitute that Ever Lived”
Accept no imitations
hyped by neon glow!
If you want salvation
He’s the only way to go!
Turn away from that guru
(with a girlfriend on the side),
and from the preacher made untrue
by his overweening pride.
Yes, my friend, you’ve only got
His holy word (with no CD),
but it holds that which can’t be bought,
His steadfast loyalty
that took the cup that we might be
co-masters of eternity.
Wonderful, Andrew! So much truth!
Yes Jesus death on the cross replaced my sinfulness. It was truly the greatest replacement ever. You gave a clear and complete presentation of the gospel. I loved the Scriptures you used. It was a very well written blog.
Terri #4 FMF
Jesus was the greatest replacement ever, Terri! I’m so glad you were encouraged today!
So beautifully spoken Lisa. So blessed to be replaced by Him. Hallelujah!
I appreciate you sharing this lovely message with Sweet Tea & Friends November Link up sweet friend.
It is such a blessing to be replaced by Him, Paula! I appreciate you!
To think of how completely Jesus is my (our) substitute is both humbling and overwhelming. He is the One who stands alone in His great love for us. Thank you for sharing this post!
His love is amazing, Joanne!
Lisa, these are such encouraging scriptures that show us the truth of what Jesus accomplished by His life, death, and resurrection. We are so blessed by His amazing sacrifice and the love and grace He showers on us. May we continually look to Him for our strength and remember that because of Him we have a living hope! Blessings to you! I’m your neighbor at Let’s Have Coffee.
The Lord has been Faithful and True, Gayl! What a joy that Easter helps us remember all that He did for us.
The Lord has been Faithful and True, Gayl! What a joy that Easter helps us remember all that He did for us.
oh Lisa, how overwhelmingly comforting it is to think and rest in Jesus complete atonement for us. I am humbled to even rest here.
It is overwhelmingly comforting to rest in His completed work, Donna.
” ….an invitation for love, salvation, and healing.” May we all accept that invitation!
Yes, Lynn!