This is who we were: Dead and enslaved to our sins. (Eph. 2:1, Rom. 6:6) Unable to do good. (Rom. 3:10-18, Isa. 59:6)
What we did: Fell short of God’s standard of perfection, therefore disobeying. Disobeying being sin. (Rom. 6:23, 1 Peter 1:16, Lev. 11:44) Since we have sinned against God, it is only just for Him to punish us. (Romans 6:23) Since He is Holy, (Joshua 24:19, Isa. 5:16) he can not compromise.
How can He forgive if He can’t compromise? Since our punishment is death, someone has to die. If a person was to die they could only account for the sins of one. So, if someone who is infinite dies they die for more than one. Christ, being 100% God and 100% man, being God and the Son (Ex. 3:13-14, John 8:57-58) came as a substitute for sinners.
We can not “make up” for it, God can not compromise! There has to be punishment by death. (Rom. 3:28, Eph. 2:8-9, Rom. 11:6)
Who Jim and I are now: We are Christ’s chosen. (Eph. 1:3-14) We are saved by His grace for the purpose of doing His plan. (Eph. 2:8-10) We are declared perfect by God through Christ and Christ alone for His glory.
