The False Teaching
C.H. Spurgeon: God must punish sin. Christ said, "My Father, punish Me Instead of the sinner;"
and His Father did; God laid on His beloved Son, Jesus Christ, the
whole burden of our sins, and all their punishment and chastisement;
and now that Christ is punished instead of us, God would not be just if
He were to punish any sinner who believes on the Lord Jesus Christ.
A.W.Pink, Church of Christ & Many others: Because God is holy He hates all sin. He loves everything which is in
conformity to His laws, and loathes everything which is contrary to it. His Word
plainly declares, "The froward is an abomination to the Lord" (Prov. 3:32). And
again, "The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord" (Prov.
15:26). It follows, therefore, that He must necessarily punish sin.
Ed's note: Leaky logic!
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Exposing the Error
Spurgeon put false words in Jesus' mouth, for Jesus has not said "My Father, punish Me Instead of the sinner."
Search the gospels. it is not there. Spurgeon also read the gospels and knew Jesus did not say this --
so he spoke falsely. This is typical. The doctrine that God necessarily must
punish sin(ners) is a basic error that leads off into more deceptions
and lies.
The error is obvious for, if it were true, it follows that God cannot forgive sin. Think about it! A debt paid is not a debt forgiven, whoever pays it and to whom. If A owes C and B
pays in A's stead, it is not forgiven. So, if Jesus paid our
sin-debt to God to satisfy God's holiness -- God forgives nothing and
is without mercy! This isn't graduate level stuff - it's
kindergarten! If you disobey Dad but big brother takes the
licking . . . where is the mercy? If God necessarily punishes sin, He is without forgiveness necessarily. And, He is merciless!
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Declaring the Truth
So he (Jesus) said to her: Your sins are forgiven. (Lk.7:48) ... he said to the paralytic: Be taking courage,
child, your sins are forgiven you. ... For which is easier, to say: Your sins
are forgiven, or to say: Be rising and be walking? But that you may see that the son of man has authority on earth to
be forgiving sins - then he says to the paralytic: Be rising, carry your bed and be going to your own house.(Mt.9:2-6). And whenever you stand praying, forgive if you have
anything against anyone, in order that your father in the heavens forgive you. But if do not forgive, neither will your
father in the heavens forgive your trespasses. (Mk.11:25f)
Blessed are the merciful, for
they will be shown mercy. (Mt.5:7)
Divine
forgiveness is not problematic; Jesus was forgiving sinners before his
death, requiring only that they repent and forgive others.
God does not punish merciful penitents. Jesus did not take our licks.
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