WHAT IS SIN -- And GOD's Remedy to His WRATH against SIN?

The LOVE of GOD for ALL sinners (you and me alike) has been revealed -- through the DEATH of CHRIST JESUS on Calvary's CROSS.

BUT the WRATH of GOD for SIN (yours and mine alike) has ALSO been revealed -- at Calvary's CROSS when the sinS of SINful men were JUDGED through the DEATH of The GOD-Man, Who was Himself the sinLESS, blameLESS, spotLESS Lamb of GOD -- the ONE and the ONLY Perfect SACRIFICE for SIN and sinS, the ONE and the ONLY infinitely qualified SUBSTITUTE Who offered HIS OWN BLOOD as the FULL atoning Payment for the SINs of men, for those who would BELIEVE INto Him, for those who would trust ONLY in JESUS' fully accomplished Work of SALVATION -- not trusting in their OWN SELF-glorifying "righteous" works to save themselves from HELL, not trusting in their OWN "good" works, which are but 'FILTHY rags' in the sight of The THRICE-Holy GOD, Creator of the entire Universe (the realms of the visible and the INvisible).

WHAT IS SIN? WHAT is that word "SIN" that has almost been obliterated by man's efforts to excuse his sinS? The TRUE meaning of SIN has been toned down, watered down, dumbed down by philosophers, psychologists and postmodern thinkers by REdefining SINs as BUT mistakes in life, or socially UNacceptable, politically INcorrect actions -- due to one's character defects, inherited tendencies from one's genetic makeup, MISbehaviors caused by childhood traumas.

BUT WHAT IS SIN to The THRICE-Holy GOD Who created ALL things, great and small, visible and INvisible -- Who gives LIFE to ALL of HIS Creation (you and i included)? WHAT is that SIN that caused The GOD of LOVE to send His ONLY Begotten SON to DIE on The CROSS for that SIN which He ABOMINATES, and the resulting sinS which He HATES?

IT IS WRITTEN -- 'GOD’s WRATH is revealed from Heaven against ALL UNgodliness and UNrighteousness of people who by their UNrighteousness suppress the TRUTH' (Romans 1:18). GOD's HOLY Scriptures UNequivocally, UNambiguously, UNapologetically define SIN as BEing UNgodly and DOing UNrighteously. SIN is the breaking of GOD's Law -- The TEN Commandments, His HOLY Rules for living out LIFE-101.

The REAL essence of SIN is UNGODLINESS -- an UNgodly RELATIONSHIP with GOD -- a wrongful attitude or mindset against GOD, a heart set in rebellion against GOD. "UNGODLINESS means a REFUSAL in ANY shape or form to live ENTIRELY and ONLY to GOD's Glory and to the Praise of His HOLY Name. ANY failure to do that or ANY lack of desire to do that is SIN" (Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones). UNGODLINESS is the transgression of GOD's First Commandment -- 'You shall have NO OTHER gods before Me' -- the SIN of enthroning in one's heart ANY created person (SELF, spouse, child; Mary, Buddha, Muhammed; rich-and-famous shaker-mover/head-of-state, celebrity/politician/philosopher -- dead or alive) OR thing (money, sex, food/drugs, nationality, man-made religions/philosophies, etc).

SIN is the breaking of ANY of GOD's TEN COMMANDMENTS -- by thought/motive or actual deed -- 'You must not have ANY OTHER god BUT Me. You must not make for yourself an IDOL of ANY kind or an IMAGE of ANYthing in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. You must NOT MISUSE the Name of The LORD your GOD. Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. HONOR your father and mother. You must NOT MURDER. You must NOT COMMIT ADULTERY. You must NOT STEAL. You must NOT TESTIFY FALSELY against your neighbor. You must NOT COVET (NOT LUST AFTER) your neighbor’s house, or your neighbor’s wife, male or female servant, ox or donkey, or ANYthing else that belongs to your neighbor.' (see Exodus 20:3-17)

As summed up by The LORD JESUS, the first and greatest Commandment is -- ‘You shall LOVE The LORD your GOD with ALL your Heart, with ALL your Soul, with ALL your Strength, and with ALL your mind.' And just as important is -- 'You shall LOVE your NEIGHBOR AS yourself. The ENTIRE Law and ALL the demands of the Prophets are based on these TWO Commandments' (see Matthew 22:37-40). SIN is the breaking of the first and greatest Commandment -- of not loving GOD with ALL of one's BEing. It is having a WRONG relationship with GOD. SIN is BEing UNgodly -- not BEing in a RIGHT relationship with GOD.

NO ONE in the ENTIRE human race (dead or alive) has EVER obeyed PERFECTLY the first and greatest Commandment -- ‘You shall LOVE The LORD your GOD with ALL your Heart, with ALL your Soul, with ALL your Strength, and with ALL your mind' -- except the Man JESUS. NO man who has EVER lived (past or present) has obeyed PERFECTLY the second and equally important Commandment -- 'You must LOVE your NEIGHBOR AS you LOVE yourSELF' -- except the Man JESUS.

NO ONE IS RIGHTEOUS because NO ONE IS GODLY. We who are GOD's creatures were made in His HOLY image so that we may GLORIFY Him. BUT we ALL have FALLEN short of glorifying HIM. 'As the Scriptures say, “NO ONE IS RIGHTeous—NOT EVEN ONE! NO ONE IS TRULY WISE; NO ONE IS SEEKING GOD. ALL HAVE TURNED AWAY; ALL HAVE BECOME USELESS. NO ONE DOES GOOD, NOT A SINGLE ONE. Their TALK is FOUL, like the STENCH from an open grave. Their TONGUES are FILLED WITH LIES. Snake VENOM drips from their LIPS. Their MOUTHS are FULL of CURSING and BITTERNESS. They RUSH to COMMIT MURDER. DESTRUCTION and MISERY ALWAYS FOLLOW them. They DON'T KNOW where to find PEACE. They have NO FEAR of GOD at all.”' (Romans 3:10-18) 

'ALL HAVE SINNED and FALL  SHORT of The GLORY of GOD!' (Romans 3:23) ALL have committed countless sinS of UNrighteousness as the CONSEQUENCE of the SIN of BEing UNgodly. NO ONE can be TRULY righteous without GOD. GODliness and RIGHTeousness are INseparable. INward GODliness is always commanded FIRST -- TRUE RIGHTeousness is then the OUTcome of BEing rightly related to GOD. ("UNGODLINESS" by Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones -- https://www.mljtrust.org/sermons-online/romans-1-18/ungodliness/)

WHAT, then, is GOD's Remedy to man's SIN-nature (UNgodliness) and his resulting sinS (UNrighteousness)? GOD Himself is THE Remedy. GOD The SON, Who was sent of GOD The FATHER, came down from His heavenly Kingdom to this darkened world, to RECONCILE sinners back to personal fellowship with GOD. We are ALL sinners by nature -- under the WRATH of GOD, without any hope of escaping HELL...

BUT GOD -- PRAISE Him, The FATHER of our LORD JESUS CHRIST -- Who is Himself LOVE Incarnate IN CHRIST, brought TRUTH and GRACE IN the very Person of Messiah JESUS, Whom GOD SENT to DELIVER us SIN-natured SIN-doers from SIN, SELF, Satan, SEPARATION (from GOD, eternally) and SUFFERING (from EVERlasting HELL). PRAISE GOD, The FATHER, for HIS Plan of SALVATION -- the GREATEST Good News EVER delivered to SINful humankind. HalleluJAH! ("The GOSPEL of GOD" by Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones -- https://www.mljtrust.org/sermons-online/romans-1-1/the-gospel-of-god-2/)

BUT GOD -- PRAISE Him, The SON -- 'The LAMB of GOD, Who takes away the SIN of the world' (John 1:29) -- 'Though HE was GOD -- HE did not think of equality with GOD as something to cling to. Instead, HE GAVE UP HIS DIVINE PRIVILEGES; HE took the HUMBLE position of a SLAVE and was BORN AS a HUMAN BEing. When HE appeared in HUMAN FORM, HE HUMBLED Himself in OBEDIENCE to GOD and DIED a criminal’s DEATH on a CROSS' (Philippians 2:6-8). i PRAISE and THANK my Beloved LORD JESUS for HE has set me FREE! CHRIST Who is Himself 'The WAY and The TRUTH and The LIFE... and The RESURRECTION' (John 14:6, 11:25) -- has PAID IN FULL with His OWN BLOOD Sacrifice -- my REDEMPTION, liberating me from the Power of SIN, the Domination of SELF, the Power of Satan, Eternal SEPARATION from GOD and EVERlasting SUFFERING in HELL. HalleluJAH!

BUT GOD -- PRAISE Him, The Holy SPIRIT -- The Promise of GOD, sent of The FATHER and of The SON to INdwell ALL Believers IN CHRIST -- HE IS the ALL-Mighty Helper, the ALL-Wise Advocate, the ALL-Compassionate Comforter to those who are BORN AGAIN of GOD. Holy is HE -- The SPIRIT of TRUTH Who will GUIDE Believers IN CHRIST by giving discernment and LIGHT to ALL the TRUTH that is GOD's Word. HE will CONVICT the world of SIN, of UNgodliness and UNrighteousness. The SPIRIT of TRUTH will point to JESUS as The CHRIST -- the ONLY WAY to The FATHER, the ONLY WAY to escape the WRATH of GOD against SIN, the ONLY WAY to TRUE PEACE With GOD, to TRUE JOY EVERlasting, and the ONLY TRUE HOPE for an up-close and very personal LOVE-Relationship between a THRICE-Holy GOD and SINful man. 

PRAISE GOD -- The FATHER, The SON, and The Holy SPIRIT -- for His GOOD News of CHRIST JESUS! For SUCH UNdeserved, UNearned Favor -- for SUCH INcomparable, OVERwhelming, Amazing GRACE! For SUCH INdescribable, INcomprehensible SALVATION -- SO FREELY GIFTED at SO INFINITE A COST to GOD! For the REALITY of being made a NEW creation  IN CHRIST -- vitally united with Him forEVERmore. For the SURE HOPE of Heavenly GLORY yet to come! PRAISE The LORD, O my soul! \o/

Dear reader... is The Almighty Sovereign GOD your FATHER in Heaven? Is CHRIST JESUS your LORD, your Almighty Savior? Is the Holy SPIRIT your Almighty ADVOCATE, your Helper and Comforter? Your ETERNAL DESTINY is made REAL in the PRESENT... in the NOW, with HOW you respond to the GOOD News of GOD. So TURN from your SINs and TRUST that GOD sent CHRIST JESUS to take your just punishment for your SIN of UNgodliness and sinS of UNrighteousness. BELIEVE with SAVING Faith IN JESUS' Perfect LIFE, Atoning DEATH on the Cross, Factual RESURRECTION and ASCENSION back to His original GLORY with The FATHER as GOD's ONLY method of saving sinners from Eternal HELL. REPENT and BELIEVE and be SAVED -- for your UNbelief will be the cause of your own ETERNAL Condemnation. Your very soul is at stake -- your ETERNAL soul will stand before GOD on Judgment Day. Will you be JUSTIFIED, deemed worthy and fit to enter into GOD's Heavenly Kingdom, where He rules with HOLY Perfection and Harmony -- with GRACE and LOVE and LIGHT and PEACE and JOY and GOODNESS and GLORY? OR will you be CONDEMNED to EVERlasting SEPARATION from GOD -- separated forEVERmore from His GRACE, His LOVE, His LIGHT, His PEACE, His JOY, His GOODNESS, His GLORY?

'TOday, if you will hear GOD's voice, DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTs as in the rebellion.' (Psalm 95:7-8; Hebrews 3:15) RECEIVE GOD's PERFECT and ONLY Remedy for your SIN of UNgodliness and sinS of UNrighteousness -- CHRIST JESUS Himself, 'full of GRACE and TRUTH.' The LORD JESUS Himself IS 'The WAY and The TRUTH and The LIFE. NO ONE comes to The FATHER except through Him' (see John 14:6).

The CHRISTian's GLORIFICATION

WHAT IS A CHRISTian? A CHRISTian is a NEW creation of GOD who has RECEIVED of CHRIST and of His FULLNESS, as imparted by the INdwelling Holy SPIRIT. For IT IS WRITTEN (John 1:16), 'For out of His FULLNESS' (the SUPERabundance of HIS Grace and Truth) -- 'we have ALL RECEIVED Grace upon Grace' -- SPIRITual BLESSING upon SPIRITual BLESSING, Favor upon Favor, Gift HEAPED upon Gift, AMAZING Grace upon AMAZING Grace!

WHAT IS A CHRISTian? A CHRISTian is a Child of GOD who is 'BORN AGAIN, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but Of GOD.' For IT IS WRITTEN (1 Corinthians 1:30), 'It is from GOD that you have your Life IN CHRIST JESUS, Whom GOD made our WISDOM from GOD, (revealed to us a knowledge of the Divine Plan of SALVATION previously hidden, manifesting itself as) our RIGHTEOUSNESS (thus making us UPright and putting us in Right Standing with GOD), and our SANCTIFICATION (making us Pure and Holy), and our (complete and full) REDEMPTION' -- our GLORIFICATION -- the entire, perfect, complete Deliverance (from the corruption and pollution of SIN) in our spirit, soul and body.

WHAT IS A CHRISTian? A CHRISTian is UNITED With CHRIST, whose ETERNAL Citizenship is in Heaven, whose UNION With CHRIST guarantees personal GLORIFICATION -- the ULTIMATE Goal of REDEMPTION. For IT IS WRITTEN (Romans 8:30), 'Those whom GOD thus foreordained, He also called; and those whom He called, He also justified (acquitted, made righteous, putting them into right standing with Himself). And those whom He justified, He also GLORIFIED (raising them to a HEAVENLY dignity and condition or state of BEing).' 

WHAT IS GLORIFICATION? It is the End, the Terminus, the FINAL Object of REDEMPTION. GLORIFICATION is CHRIST presenting to Himself, after being made ENTIRELY 'Holy and Clean, washed by the cleansing of GOD’s Word' -- a 'GLORIOUS Church (corporately and individually) without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be HOLY and WITHOUT FAULT -- in GLORIOUS splendor!' (see Ephesians 5:26-27) 

GLORIFICATION is the FULFILLment of the Word of GOD (1 Thessalonians 5:23) -- 'May The GOD of Peace Himself SANCTIFY you through and through (separate you from profane things, make you PURE and wholly CONSECRATED to GOD); and may your SPIRIT and SOUL and BODY be preserved sound and COMPLETE (and found) BLAMELESS at the coming of our LORD JESUS CHRIST.'

GLORIFICATION is the mortal made IMmortal at last. The Promise of GOD made REALITY (1 Corinthians 15:53-54) -- 'This PERISHABLE (part of us) must put on the IMPERISHABLE (nature), and this MORTAL (part of us, this nature that is capable of dying) must put on IMMORTALITY (freedom from death). And when this PERISHABLE puts on the IMPERISHABLE and this that was capable of dying puts on FREEDOM from DEATH, then shall be FULFILLED the Scripture that says, DEATH is swallowed up (utterly vanquished forEVER) in and unto VICTORY.'

GLORIFICATION is when The LORD JESUS CHRIST comes again to 'TRANSFORM and fashion aNEW the BODY of our humiliation to CONFORM to and be like the BODY of HIS Glory and Majesty, by exerting that POWER which enables Him even to subject EVERYthing to Himself.' (Philippians 3:21) 'We know that when He comes and is manifested, we shall (as GOD’s Children) RESEMBLE and BE like HIM, for we shall SEE Him just as He (REALLY) IS.' (1 John 3:2)

GLORIFICATION is the Promise of GOD to those IN CHRIST -- those who have put their FAITH in His SON, in His PERFECT Plan of Salvation (CHRIST JESUS' virgin Birth, perfect Life, atoning Death, historical Resurrection and Ascension). GLORIFICATION is the FULL restoration of man's spirit, soul and body to its Original PERFECTION. The whole BEing of man (spirit, soul and body) will be FREE from EVERY taint and EVERY weakness.

IT IS WRITTEN (1 John 3:8), 'The reason The SON of GOD appeared was to DESTROY the WORKS of the devil.' And when The LORD JESUS said on The CROSS, "IT IS FINISHED!" -- ALL that was required by a thrice-Holy GOD as the Redemption Price for our SINs was PAID IN FULL by the BLOOD of CHRIST. And those IN CHRIST have received of CHRIST Himself and of His FULLness by the SUPERnatural working and willing of the Holy SPIRIT, sent of The FATHER and of The SON -- so that IN CHRIST, by GOD's ALL-Mighty GRACE, we are gifted His Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification... GLORIFICATION! A Sinner who has put his/her Faith IN CHRIST alone (TRUSTing in the perfect work of The GOD/Man for complete REDEMPTION) is destined for Eternal GLORIFICATION! HalleluJAH! \o/

Dear reader -- may The SPIRIT of GOD open your Mind and Heart to The TRUTH Himself, The LORD JESUS -- Who will bring you personally to The Giving FATHER, Who will receive you to Himself as His very own child because you have put your TRUST in His SON's atoning DEATH on The CROSS as FULL payment for your SINS. Turn from your SINS with sincere sorrow at rebelling against The ONE Who gave you Life -- and turn to GOD for FULL pardon of ALL your SINS. Then receive of CHRIST and of His FULLness, as imparted to you by The Holy SPIRIT Who will live IN you to grow the LIFE of CHRIST IN you. Commit your Life to GOD's care, align your will to His will by KNOWing Him through His Word by diligent study and meditation -- then enJOY The LORD SPIRIT's sweet Presence as He conforms your inner BEing into the lovely Image of CHRIST JESUS our LORD. HalleluJAH! \o/

(Notes from Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones' exposition on John 1:16, "GLORIFICATION" (https://www.mljtrust.org/sermons-online/john-1-16/glorification/)

 

March 14, 2021 -- In TOday's world of suffering -- only by KNOWing The TRUTH Himself -- CHRIST JESUS, Who is The WAY and The TRUTH and The LIFE and The RESURRECTION -- will SET you FREE from despair. Find out why the CHRISTian can have this REALITY, this HOPE while discouragement, defeat, anxiety, and terror loom around them. The CHRISTian is confident and can set their affections upon PARADISE REGAINED. \o/ (https://www.mljtrust.org/sermons-online/romans-8-18-23/paradise-regained/)

The LOVE Of CHRIST Compels Me - rLn's Testimony

CHRIST's LOVE COMPELS me to GLORY (to boast) ONLY in The CROSS of my Beloved LORD JESUS -- in His BLOOD, in His DEATH. CHRIST's LOVE MAKES me to LIVE this fleeting Life-101 for HIS Glory -- the GLORY of GOD's Name. CHRIST's LOVE CONSTRAINS me to PROclaim with holy BOLDness the GOOD News of SALVATION -- the FORGIVEness of SINs; the SUPERabounding POWER of The Holy SPIRIT of GOD for a LIFE of progressive SANCTIFICATION (the GOD-given SUPERnatural Unction to DENY my SELF, to HATE my PRIDE, to MORTIFY the lusts of my FLESH, to RESIST that DEVIL satan, to TURN from my SINs and the EMPTY pleasures of this world); and the SURE Hope of COMPLETE and TOTAL Redemption, including my own personal bodily RESURRECTION as promised by GOD my Heavenly FATHER to those who BELIEVE INto His ONLY Begotten SON; guaranteed by The LORD CHRIST JESUS Himself through His PERFECT Life, Death, Resurrection and Ascension; and made REALITY by the ALL-Mighty LORD SPIRIT Himself Who NOW resides IN my QUICKENED spirit. (see https://www.mljtrust.org/sermons-online/galatians-6-14/glorying-only-in-the-cross/ -- "GLORYing ONLY In The CROSS" by Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones)

Because of The CROSS of CHRIST -- GOD by His GRACE (UNdeserved Favor, UNdeserved Mercy, UNdeserved Pardon) -- granted me REPENTANCE (a CHANGE of mind and heart, a 180-degree TURNing FROM my SINs and TURNing TO GOD for the FORGIVENESS of my SINs) and the FAITH to TRUST (fully rely alone) in CHRIST's fully completed, fully satisfactory work of REDEMPTION. i was purchased from the SLAVERY of SIN, SELF, satan, and the world with the PRICELESS BLOOD of the GOD-Man CHRIST JESUS. His own DEATH gave me LIFE Eternal. (see https://www.mljtrust.org/sermons-online/john-1-16/a-changed-disposition/ -- "A CHANGED DISPOSITION" by Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones)

Because of The CROSS of CHRIST -- GOD made me a NEW creation. i who was DEAD in my trespasses and SINs -- a spiritually DEAD soul, expressing "life" in my body -- was QUICKENED, made SPIRITually ALIVE in my spirit by The SPIRIT of the Risen LORD JESUS. Today i can say in FULL confidence that i am NO LONGER that Old Adamic ME-rlin, whose VAIN-glorious life revolved around SELF -- the "ME, mySELF, and I" SELF-centered trinity. Today i can say that i am a masterpiece of GOD -- HIS handiwork IN PROGRESS. Today i can say that ALL-Mighty GOD IN CHRIST by The ALL-Mighty Holy SPIRIT has caused (and continues) to make Romans 8:28 my REALITY so that Romans 8:29 might be fulfilled in this NEW creation nicknamed "rLn" -- really LOVE now... for TOMORROW IS NOT GUARANTEED.

'My Old SELF HAS BEEN CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST. It is NO LONGER i who live, but CHRIST LIVES IN me. SO i LIVE in this EARTHLY body BY TRUSTing IN The SON of GOD, Who LOVED me and GAVE Himself FOR me.' (Galatians 2:20). 'ANYone who BELONGS to CHRIST HAS become a NEW person. The OLD life IS GONE; a NEW life HAS begun!' (2 Corinthians 5:17) 'For you have been BORN aNEW, not of perishable seed but of IMperishable Seed -- BORN AGAIN, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your NEW LIFE will last forEVER because it comes from the ETERNAL, LIVING Word of GOD.' (1 Peter 1:23)
(see https://www.mljtrust.org/sermons-online/galatians-6-14/a-new-life-2/ -- "A NEW LIFE" by Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones)

i KNOW that GOD causes ALL things (the GOOD, the BAD, the LOVELY, the UGLY -- the ALL of WHATever that GOD allows in my Life-101) to work together for my GOOD because i LOVE GOD my FATHER, GOD The SON my LORD and Savior, GOD The SPIRIT my Helper and Comforter -- because i have been called according to GOD's Purpose. Because GOD put me IN CHRIST -- united me WITH CHRIST -- i 'KNOW that in ALL things GOD works for the GOOD of those who LOVE Him, who have been CALLED according to HIS Purpose. For those GOD FOREKNEW He also PREDESTINED to be CONFORMED to the Image of HIS SON, that CHRIST might be the Firstborn among MANY brothers and sisters.' (Romans 8:28-29)
(see https://www.mljtrust.org/sermons-online/john-1-16/god-works-in-you-to-will-and-to-do/, "GOD Works IN You To WILL and to DO" by Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones)

'From CHRIST's FULLNESS (ABUNDANCE) i have received, GRACE upon GRACE (one gracious BLESSING after another).' (John 1:16) GOD's LOVE is INfinitely, IMmeasurably Wide, Long, High, Deep! Though not yet completely, i do EXPERIENCE 'the LOVE Of CHRIST that surpasses knowledge (for it is TOO great to understand fully), that IN CHRIST i am filled with ALL the FULLNESS Of GOD (His LIFE and POWER).' (Ephesians 3:18-19) 'For IN CHRIST lives ALL the FULLNESS Of GOD in a human body.' (Colossians 2:9) 'And BECAUSE of GOD i am IN CHRIST JESUS, Who became for me WISDOM from GOD, RIGHTEOUSNESS and SANCTIFICATION and REDEMPTION.' (1 Corinthians 1:30)
(see https://www.mljtrust.org/sermons-online/john-1-16/christ-our-sanctification/, "CHRIST, Our SANCTIFICATION" by Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones)

Today -- 'CHRIST’s LOVE CONTROLS (compels, constrains, MAKES) me. SINCE i believe that CHRIST DIED for me, i also believe that i HAVE ALREADY DIED to my OLD life. CHRIST DIED for EVERYone (those who WERE once IN Adam and spiritually DEAD IN SIN, but who are NOW IN CHRIST and SPIRITually ALIVE to GOD) SO THAT those who receive His NEW LIFE will NO LONGER LIVE FOR THEMSELVES. Instead, THEY WILL LIVE FOR CHRIST, Who DIED and was RAISED FOR them.' (2 Corinthians 5:14-15)
(see https://www.mljtrust.org/sermons-online/john-1-16/for-christs-love-compels-us/, "For CHRIST's LOVE Compels Us" by Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones)

As for me -- rLn -- 'TO LIVE IS CHRIST... TO DIE IS GAIN' (Philippians 1:21) -- for to be with CHRIST is a GAZILLION-ZILLION times BETTER! (Personal Testimony for my MEMORIAL -- "rLn's Last EXPRESSION, Her Last GAZILLION Words" -- see http://rl-n.blogspot.com/2010/04/rlns-last-expression-her-last-gazillion.html)

The CROSS of CHRIST Speaks

The CROSS of CHRIST SPEAKS. It is a TRUTHful EXPOSITION. It is a public DECLARATION. It is a gracious INVITATION. The BLOOD of The CROSS SPEAKS... STILL.

The CROSS of CHRIST speaks -- it preaches. It's an EXPOSITION of The TRUTH of GOD. The BLOOD of The CROSS speaks -- NOT like the blood of Abel (who was murdered by his brother Cain) that cried out for Vengeance, but the BLOOD of CHRIST speaks of better things -- of FORGIVENESS, of RECONCILIATION with GOD.

The CROSS of CHRIST speaks -- that to be a man is a VERY important and a VERY serious thing. That the IMperishable, IMmortal SOUL of man is so VERY precious indeed to GOD -- SO utterly PRECIOUS that GOD IN CHRIST came down from His Majestic GLORY on High to RECONCILE man to Himself. GOD The SON left His Kingdom in Heaven to SEEK and to SAVE that which was LOST -- man's SOUL.

The CROSS of CHRIST speaks -- that man's relationship with his fellow man will NEVER be right unless his relationship to GOD is put right FIRST. Over and above EVERYthing else -- of ULTIMATE importance is a RIGHT relationship with GOD. This RIGHT relationship with GOD is ONLY through CHRIST JESUS Whom GOD has SET FORTH as PROPITIATION (appeasement) through FAITH in JESUS' atoning BLOOD.

The CROSS of CHRIST speaks -- that SIN, in essence is REBELLION against GOD, the breaking of relationship with GOD. SIN is man defying GOD -- breaking GOD's HOLY Law. It is man setting himSELF up, standing up to GOD, and defying GOD -- setting himSELF up as a god.

The CROSS of CHRIST speaks -- that there IS a JUDGMENT upon SIN, and that SIN MUST be PUNISHED. Because GOD is WHO and WHAT He IS -- HOLY, RIGHTEOUS and JUST -- He HATES, abominates SIN. His WRATH is upon SIN.

The CROSS of CHRIST speaks -- it is a truthful PROCLAMATION of the HOLINESS of GOD, the heinousness of SIN, the terrible problem of SIN, the terrible seriousness of man's REBELLION against GOD. It PROCLAIMS that the ONLY way for a HOLY and JUST GOD to FORGIVE SIN was to PUNISH SIN -- in and through His Only Begotten SON. CHRIST JESUS was 'stricken, smitten of GOD' upon The CROSS for man's SIN, yours and mine. The GOD-Man was the ONLY One good enough to be that PERFECT Sacrifice to pay IN FULL our SIN debt. CHRIST JESUS  -- perfect in EVERY way, sinless and blameless, was a fit ATONEMENT for ALL of man's SINs.

The CROSS of CHRIST speaks -- it is a Mighty DECLARATION that GOD has solved the VERY great problem of man's SIN. The CROSS, the BLOOD of The LAMB JESUS CHRIST is GOD's ANSWER to the SIN Problem. GOD Who is HOLY, RIGHTEOUS and JUST poured out His WRATH upon the SINs of man IN the body of His OWN SON. He struck HIM. He smote HIM. He CONDEMNED His OWN SON to DEATH on The CROSS. 

The CROSS of CHRIST speaks -- that the GOD-Man CHRIST JESUS was SET FORTH as PROPITIATION for SIN. The PRINCE of Peace was nailed on The CROSS, His Priceless BLOOD was shed. The Wonderful COUNSELOR suffered the shame and torture of the CRUCIFIXION. The LORD JESUS' Heart broke when GOD The FATHER of GLORY turned His HOLY Face away from Him -- GOD The SON, Who was MADE to BE SIN -- and GOD's HOLY WRATH was poured out on JESUS CHRIST for the JUST Punishment and Righteous JUDGMENT and CONDEMNATION on ALL the SINS of EVERY repentant man and repentant woman -- past, present and future.

The BLOOD of The CROSS speaks -- that 'the Wages of SIN is DEATH.' The SON's Death on The CROSS, His shed BLOOD, was GOD's way of dealing with the Problem of SIN. The CROSS, the BLOOD was GOD's public DECLARATION, His Mighty PROCLAMATION that He was PROPITIATED. His PURE Righteousness and HOLY Justice were appeased -- GOD IN CHRIST through The BLOOD's efficacy RECONCILED man to Himself.

The CROSS of CHRIST speaks -- it is also a Gracious INVITATION. GOD inspired the prophet Isaiah to declare GOD's INVITATION of SALVATION: 'Let ALL the world LOOK to Me for SALVATION! For I AM GOD; there is NO OTHER.' (Isaiah 45:22) The LORD JESUS Himself declared this INVITATION: 'COME TO ME, ALL of you who are WEARY and CARRY HEAVY BURDENS, and I WILL GIVE you REST. Take my yoke upon you. Let Me teach you, because I AM Humble and Gentle at HEART, and you WILL find REST for your SOULS. For My yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.' (Matthew 11:28-30) The BLOOD of The CROSS is preaching PEACE With GOD so that one may realize the PEACE Of GOD that surpasses all human understanding.

The CROSS of CHRIST speaks this Amazing INVITATION to those who are FAR from GOD -- the failures, those who know they've gone wrong, those who are filled with shame, those who are weary and tired and forlorn in the moral struggle -- laboring to live a good and a clean and a straight life, but like Martin Luther, to NO avail. This Precious INVITATION is for those who've reckoned their SELF-righteousness as but FILTHY rags and their SELF-sufficiency to be SELF-deceit. This FREE INVITATION is for those who've recognized their UNworthiness and UNcleanness of Heart. This Life-Changing INVITATION is for those who are AFRAID of Life, AFRAID of DEATH, AFRAID of Tomorrow, AFRAID of the coming JUDGMENT. This Glorious and Gracious INVITATION is for those who feel utterly HOPELESS and completely HELPLESS -- for those who REPENT (TURN from) of their REBELLION and TURN to GOD for the FORGIVENESS of ALL their SINS through FAITH alone in CHRIST JESUS alone, fully SON of GOD and fully SON of Man -- The LAMB of GOD, slain on The CROSS, as the Perfect ATONING Sacrifice for the SINS of man.

The CROSS of CHRIST speaks to ALL... STILL. The BLOOD of The CROSS proclaims The GOOD News... STILL. Does The CROSS of CHRIST speak to you? Does the BLOOD of The CROSS cry out to you, saying -- COME! Let ALL the world LOOK to The LORD JESUS for SALVATION! For HE is The GREAT I AM THAT I AM -- HE IS GOD -- The GOD-Man... and there is NO OTHER.

(The notes above are from the sermon "A Public Declaration" -- preached by Dr Lloyd-Jones in 1964, which was included in his book "The CROSS" -- a 10-sermon exposition on Galatians 6:14 -- https://www.mljtrust.org/sermons-online/galatians-6-14/a-public-declaration/. The follow-up sermon on Galatians 6:14 by Dr Lloyd-Jones is riveting, for it is perfectly applicable today, 2018 -- to the utterly debased moral state of the world. In Dr Lloyd-Jones assessment, it is the indirect JUDGMENT of GOD to this corrupt humanity for its RADICAL Rebellion -- https://www.mljtrust.org/sermons-online/galatians-6-14/glorying-only-in-the-cross/.)