Two Gospels and The Cross

John 9:2 The disciples asked Jesus, who sinned for this man to be born blind, himself or his parents

Jesus’ answer is revealing.

Jesus separated the consequences/effects/nature of sin in general from the choices/acts/behaviour which are condemnable and lead to guilt.

There is a popular gospel that says we are condemned because we have a sinful nature (nothing we chose, nothing we can do about it). And the solution is supposedly that God forgives us. All we have to do is accept.

But:
Results of evil or sinful nature (bad equipment) – don’t need forgiveness, they need restoration.

Guiltiness from sinful choices (conscious rejection) – needs forgiveness.

In reality, the Bible teaches we are condemned because of our own personal choice to go against God – or what is right (James 4:17; John 3:18-21). We are condemned for using our free will in a destructive (self or others) way. Jesus didn’t come to condemn but to save (John 3:16-17).

Our nature (the results of evil; bad equipment) is just a consequence of our choices (or sometimes the choices of others). For this we need healing, not forgiveness. Does any patient say to their doctor, I want forgiveness?

But because of God’s forgiveness, it draws us to the One who can heal.

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At the cross, Jesus experienced two things:

1. Psychological and emotional torment — This is the natural consequence of “sin”. We feel separated from God (Isaiah 59:2). “Afflicted” (Isaiah 53:4). He took on the disease. But this was all unseen by us. He did this because he had already *charizomai* us (accepted us with his gracious favour).

2. Physical scourging — this was what we did to Christ. This we saw. And it was this torture that we see Jesus forgiving (Luke 23:34). This was the ultimate display of Christ’s matchless love – in ultimate suffering. “By his stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5). Drawn to that we can be *aphiemi* (our burden be lifted away).