Here is a simple, but profound truth: Jesus became the Son of man to represent all humanity on the Cross. In dying for us, bearing the entirety of sin for all, He enabled us to become sons and daughters of God. Until Jesus took our sin, becoming sin though He knew no sin (see 2Corinthians 5:21), He could have never died. His death declared our sin, but His Resurrection also declared Him the Son of God (see Romans 1:4). Likewise, it revealed that He did indeed take our sin upon Himself and that He is the only Way to the Father (see John 14:6).
While on His Cross, Jesus took the full wrath of God for us. That means the entire punishment we deserve for all eternity rested on Him. For those who receive this grace through faith, the wrath of God is nonexistent because Jesus took it all. Therefore, there is no more wrath to give. For this reason, we should count the Blood of Jesus to be most precious. His Blood alone is able to pay the penalty for all humanity. 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power (KJV). There is a wrath to come for those who reject Jesus Christ and for those who count His Blood an unholy thing (see Hebrews 6:4-8; 10:23-31). Nonetheless, as long as a person lives, he or she is under grace where there is no judgment; only reconciliation to the Father. Meaning, as long as people are alive, God’s grace is available to them instead of His righteous judgment and wrath. If they receive His grace, they will forego the wrath to come.
What does this mean to believers? It means that it is not our job to condemn others for their sins. We do not judge them and hold their faults against them. We stop putting labels on them and publicly pronouncing their shortcomings. As ambassadors of Christ, we are to represent Jesus well to them. How did Jesus treat people? He went about doing good to them; not holding their sin against them (see Acts 10:38; 2Corinthians 5:18-20). Even today, Jesus is still reconciling people to the Father. He still treats them well! Instead of being angry with sinners, we should be compassionate. We should mourn for them. Just as we once were, they are in bondage to sin and have no way to deliver themselves. Sin rules them; they do not rule over sin. As long as the devil is their daddy, they will always serve sin. They are in need of the Spirit of adoption by Whom they are able to have God as their Father (see Romans 8:14-17; Galatians 4:1-7). By representing Jesus well, we may influence them to call on His Name and be saved from the wrath to come.
Another thing grace means to believers is that they need to stop holding themselves accountable for what has been forgiven. That does not mean we do not take responsibility for our actions altogether as responsible citizens of heaven. It means we stop beating ourselves up and trying to punish ourselves for past failures. It is time to see us from the Father’s point of view. We have no legal right to declare anything over ourselves that contradicts what He says about us. When a person contradicts the Father, he or she may not be considering how precious the Blood of Jesus is. Stop considering the deeds of the old man, because the old man was crucified with Christ –he’s dead (see Romans 6:3-7; Galatians 2:20)! Focus on being the new creature God made you (see 2Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 4:24). Live well as an ambassador of the Kingdom of God, so others may also become citizens (see 2Corinthians 5:20).
