For He Hath Made Him to Be Sin for Us
C.H. Spurgeon's sermon emphasizes the believer's completeness and acceptance in Christ, encouraging joy and assurance despite sinfulness.
C.H. Spurgeon encourages mourning Christians to find solace in the perfection of Christ, reminding them that their acceptance before God is not based on their own righteousness but on Christ's sacrifice. He emphasizes that believers are clothed in the righteousness of God, making them complete and free from condemnation despite their struggles with sin. Spurgeon reassures that their standing is secure in Christ, who intercedes for them, and urges them to rejoice in their identity as accepted in the beloved. He highlights the transformative power of Christ being made sin for humanity, allowing believers to attain the righteousness of God. Ultimately, he calls Christians to live joyfully, anticipating their eternal reign with Christ.
Text
Mourning Christian! why weepest thou? Art thou mourning over thine own corruptions? Look to thy perfect Lord, and remember, thou art complete in Him; thou art in God's sight as perfect as if thou hadst never sinned; nay, more than that, the Lord our Righteousness hath put a divine garment upon thee, so that thou hast more than the righteousness of man--thou hast the righteousness of God. O Thou who art mourning by reason of inbred sin and depravity, remember, none of thy sins can condemn thee.
Thou hast learned to hate sin; but thou hast learned also to know that sin is not thine--it was laid upon Christ's head. Thy standing is not in thyself--it is in Christ; thine acceptance is not in thyself, but in thy Lord; thou art as much accepted of God to-day, with all thy sinfulness, as thou wilt be when thou standest before His throne, free from all corruption. O, I beseech thee, lay hold on this precious thought, perfection in Christ! For thou art "complete in Him." With thy Saviour's garment on, thou art holy as the Holy one.
"Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us." Christian, let thy heart rejoice, for thou art "accepted in the beloved"--what hast thou to fear? Let thy face ever wear a smile; live near thy Master; live in the suburbs of the Celestial City; for soon, when thy time has come, thou shalt rise up where thy Jesus sits, and reign at His right hand; and all this because the divine Lord "was made to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him."
Sermon Outline
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I
- Understanding our mourning over sin
- Recognizing our completeness in Christ
- The significance of Christ's righteousness
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II
- The nature of our acceptance before God
- The role of Christ's sacrifice
- Living in the assurance of salvation
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III
- The joy of being accepted in the beloved
- The call to rejoice despite sinfulness
- The hope of eternal life with Christ
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IV
- The transformative power of Christ's righteousness
- The importance of intercession
- Living in the light of our future glory
Key Quotes
“Thou art complete in Him.” — C.H. Spurgeon
“It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again.” — C.H. Spurgeon
“For thou art 'complete in Him.'” — C.H. Spurgeon
Application Points
- Remember that your worth is found in Christ, not in your own actions.
- Rejoice in the assurance of your salvation and acceptance by God.
- Live daily in the light of Christ's righteousness and your future hope.