Unfair Guilt, Unfair Grace: The Gospel's Dual Imputation

Devotional

Day 1: Covenant Membership Reflects Commitment

Covenant membership in the church is a profound commitment before God and the community. It involves mutual promises of support, spiritual growth, and accountability, reflecting the biblical concept of covenant relationships. This commitment is not just a formality but a profound expression of our faith and dedication to the body of Christ. When individuals join a church in covenant membership, they are publicly declaring their intention to live out their faith in community, supporting one another in love and good works. This act of joining is a tangible expression of the unity and interdependence that should characterize the body of Christ. [15:56]

Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."

Reflection: Think about your current level of commitment to your church community. How can you actively support and encourage your fellow members in their spiritual growth this week?

Day 2: Representation Before God

Every person is represented before God either by Adam or by Christ. Adam's disobedience brought sin and death to all his descendants, while Christ's obedience and sacrifice bring righteousness and life to all who believe. This concept challenges our individualistic mindset, reminding us that our standing before God is deeply tied to our representative. Understanding this representation helps us grasp the gravity of sin and the magnitude of grace. It shifts our focus from self-reliance to reliance on Christ's finished work on the cross. [27:55]

1 Corinthians 15:22 (ESV): "For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive."

Reflection: Reflect on how the concept of representation by Adam or Christ affects your understanding of sin and grace. How does this change the way you view your relationship with God?

Day 3: Dual Imputation

The gospel involves a dual imputation where our sins are imputed to Christ, and His righteousness is imputed to us. This exchange is the foundation of our salvation, highlighting the depth of God's grace. Christ's perfect obedience and sacrificial death fulfill the requirements of the covenant of grace, offering us eternal life. This profound truth should lead us to a deeper appreciation of the gospel and a greater sense of gratitude for what Christ has done for us. [41:08]

2 Corinthians 5:21 (ESV): "For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."

Reflection: Consider the reality of Christ's righteousness being imputed to you. How does this truth impact your daily life and your sense of identity in Christ?

Day 4: The Unfairness of Grace

Grace is radically unfair by human standards. While we inherit guilt and sin through Adam, we receive righteousness and life through Christ. This "unfair" grace is the essence of the gospel, offering us what we do not deserve and could never earn on our own. It is a profound reminder of God's love and mercy. Embracing this grace requires humility and a recognition of our own inability to achieve righteousness on our own. [44:53]

Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV): "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you experienced God's grace in a way that felt "unfair." How can you extend that same grace to others in your life today?

Day 5: The Covenant of Grace

The covenant of grace, fulfilled by Christ, offers life and righteousness to believers despite their inability to achieve perfect obedience. This covenant underscores God's faithfulness and the transformative power of grace. It calls us to live in gratitude and obedience, recognizing that our salvation is a gift from God. Understanding this covenant helps us to rest in God's promises and motivates us to live out our faith with joy and confidence. [46:40]

Hebrews 8:10 (ESV): "For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people."

Reflection: How does the knowledge of the covenant of grace influence your daily walk with God? What specific steps can you take to live out this grace in your interactions with others?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Tonight, we had the joy of welcoming Ashton Henson and Matthew Barrett into covenant membership at North Town Trinity Church. This ceremony highlighted the significance of covenant relationships within the body of Christ, setting the stage for our exploration of Romans 5:12-21. The passage delves into the concept of representation before God, contrasting the roles of Adam and Christ. Adam's disobedience brought sin and death into the world, affecting all his descendants. This is often perceived as "unfair guilt," as we inherit sin and its consequences through no direct action of our own.

However, the sermon pivots to the "unfair grace" offered through Jesus Christ. While Adam's sin imputed guilt to humanity, Christ's obedience and sacrifice impute righteousness to believers. This dual imputation—our sins to Christ and His righteousness to us—forms the crux of the gospel. The covenant of works, established with Adam, required perfect obedience, which he failed to deliver. In contrast, the covenant of grace, fulfilled by Christ, offers life and righteousness to those who believe, despite their inability to achieve perfect obedience on their own.

The sermon underscores that while the concept of being represented by another might seem unfair, it is through this very mechanism that we receive grace. Christ's perfect obedience and sacrificial death fulfill the requirements of the covenant of grace, offering us eternal life. This radical grace is not fair by human standards, but it is the essence of the gospel. The sermon concludes with a call to embrace this grace, recognizing that our representation before God is either through Adam or Christ, and urging us to choose Christ.

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Key Takeaways

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2. Representation Before God: Every person is represented before God either by Adam or by Christ. Adam's disobedience brought sin and death to all his descendants, while Christ's obedience and sacrifice bring righteousness and life to all who believe. This concept challenges our individualistic mindset, reminding us that our standing before God is deeply tied to our representative.

3. Dual Imputation: The gospel involves a dual imputation where our sins are imputed to Christ, and His righteousness is imputed to us. This exchange is the foundation of our salvation, highlighting the depth of God's grace. Christ's perfect obedience and sacrificial death fulfill the requirements of the covenant of grace, offering us eternal life.

4. The Unfairness of Grace: Grace is radically unfair by human standards. While we inherit guilt and sin through Adam, we receive righteousness and life through Christ. This "unfair" grace is the essence of the gospel, offering us what we do not deserve and could never earn on our own. It is a profound reminder of God's love and mercy.

5. The Covenant of Grace: The covenant of grace, fulfilled by Christ, offers life and righteousness to believers despite their inability to achieve perfect obedience. This covenant underscores God's faithfulness and the transformative power of grace. It calls us to live in gratitude and obedience, recognizing that our salvation is a gift from God.

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Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[15:56] - Covenant Membership Ceremony
[19:06] - Member Commitments
[20:31] - Elder Commitments
[22:09] - Gifts and Prayer
[23:20] - Invitation to Family Meal
[24:00] - Introduction to Romans 5
[27:55] - Representation Before God
[31:07] - Unfair Guilt
[34:05] - Sin Against God's Character
[35:12] - Original Sin and Covenant of Works
[41:08] - Dual Imputation
[44:53] - The Unfairness of Grace
[46:40] - Covenant of Grace
[55:21] - Closing Prayer and Communion
[69:56] - Farewell to the Collins Family

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What are the two contrasting roles discussed in Romans 5:12-21, and how do they impact humanity? ([27:55])
What does the term "dual imputation" mean in the context of the sermon, and how is it explained through the actions of Adam and Christ? ([41:08])
How does the sermon describe the concept of "unfair guilt" and "unfair grace"? ([44:53])
What is the significance of covenant membership as discussed in the sermon? ([15:56])

Interpretation Questions

How does the idea of being represented by Adam or Christ challenge our individualistic mindset? ([27:55])
In what ways does the concept of dual imputation deepen our understanding of the gospel? ([41:08])
Why is the grace offered through Christ described as "unfair" by human standards, and what does this reveal about God's love and mercy? ([44:53])
How does the covenant of grace, as fulfilled by Christ, offer life and righteousness to believers despite their inability to achieve perfect obedience? ([46:40])

Application Questions

Reflect on your own life: Do you find it challenging to accept that you are represented before God by either Adam or Christ? How does this understanding affect your daily walk with God? ([27:55])
The sermon mentions that covenant membership involves mutual promises of support, spiritual growth, and accountability. How can you actively contribute to these aspects within your church community? ([15:56])
Considering the concept of dual imputation, how does knowing that Christ's righteousness is imputed to you change the way you view your own sins and shortcomings? ([41:08])
The sermon describes grace as "radically unfair." Can you think of a time when you received grace that you felt you didn't deserve? How did that experience impact your faith? ([44:53])
The covenant of grace calls us to live in gratitude and obedience. What are some practical ways you can express gratitude for God's grace in your daily life? ([46:40])
How can you better embrace the "unfair" grace offered through Christ in your interactions with others, especially those who may have wronged you? ([44:53])
Reflect on the idea of covenant relationships. How can you strengthen your commitment to your church and its members, and what steps can you take to foster deeper connections within your faith community? ([15:56])

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "We don't like the idea of being represented by someone else. We only like that idea when it benefits us. If someone represents us well, and it gives us some kind of a bonus, some kind of an advantage, we'll lean into that. But we don't like it when someone represents us negatively. Every one of us has a representative with God. It's either going to be Christ or the first man, Adam." [27:55] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "We cannot represent ourselves before God. We will always have someone representing us to him, either Christ or Adam. So let's begin there with the bad news. To understand what the gospel, the good news is, we have to understand the bad news first." [29:28] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "The gospel's not fair. If the gospel was fair, you know what we'd get? We'd get hell. We'd get damnation. That would be fair because that's what we have earned. That's what we deserve. That's what Adam, our federal head, earned on our behalf. We said earlier that we didn't think that guilt was fair, but I suggest to you that grace is that which is not fair. It's radically unfair. It is unbelievably unfair. That's unbelievably good news for us." [44:53] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Because of Christ's perfect obedience, we receive the perfect obedience. Covenant promise, just like in the covenant he made with Adam, the covenant that he makes with Christ, the promise is life. We receive Christ's blessing because he perfectly met the conditions of the covenant of grace. That's the grace." [46:40] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Jesus, what you endured on our behalf, because you didn't deserve that. And we don't deserve eternal life, but you give it to us freely and joyfully. You transform us by taking out a heart that is at war with you and replacing it with a heart that loves you. That loves your law." [56:04] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "Covenant membership, it takes the modern Western conception of membership and turns it on. It takes it more seriously because when we covenant with one another, we are making a commitment together before the Lord. In fact, in the passage that we'll be looking at in Romans 5 this evening, we'll be talking quite a bit about covenant, so this is particularly special." [15:56] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "We don't have that same ability to sin or not sin, because we've descended from Adam in his rebellion, each one of us have only inherited the ability to sin. And that doesn't mean that everything that we do is a direct rebellion against God, but that we do not have the possibility of going through life without transgressing God's law." [31:07] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "What Paul is saying is that Adam was given a specified command. God was abundantly clear with him as we're going to see as we continue on. And Adam rebelled against that specified command. And yet from Adam until now, until Moses, every one of his descendants continued to die over and over and over again. Why? It was because rather than sinning against God's command, they sinned against God's character." [34:05] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "The reason that having a representative before God bothers us is that we don't think in terms of covenants. But covenant is how God has always related with his people. There are not different ways that God saves people based on the time in which they live, the country of their origin. He only saves us as Paul has labored to prove in this letter by grace through faith in Christ alone." [35:55] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "The sign that God gives us to remind us and himself and the watching world of his covenant faithfulness, despite our unfaithfulness, the sign that he gives us is the sign of faith. What Paul, in another place in Romans, in chapter two, calls circumcision of the heart." [46:40] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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