Here's one for Protestants?

Question

If a man is justified by faith, and his sin merely imputed to Christ, so that Christ's righteousness is imputed to him, so that the sinner can be forgiven and gain salvation; why isn't Jesus Christ in Hell? That is the destiny of the one still guilty of sin right? So if he get's our guilt, and we his righteousness, why does he not get the whole penalty, since we get the whole reward?

Of course, I welcome the opinions of Catholics and Orthodox as well.

Edit: Edge, I am asking why if it is just a matter of "switching places" with Christ, why he doesn't get the full measure of Hell. This question is meant only to be a brain teaser of sorts, or a debating point, nothing more. Thanks for your answer.

Edit: David R, I am not trying to confuse anyone. I am trying to see how people answer a question that doesn't really get asked. I think you may actually be the one who is confused since the bible says nothing about "asking Jesus into your heart". Again, just trying to stir the pot a little.

Answer 1

Because Christ was the perfect sacrifice which satisfied God the Father's righteous nature which demanded payment for sin. Christ, who Himself was not guilty of sin, nor had a sin nature, took our punishment for sin. It was during those three hours of darkness that the Father poured out His wrath on Christ. Since God the Father is the One who determines when His righteousness is satisfied, He determined the extent of the wrath poured out. Man faces eternal punishment not so much for his individual sins, but because he is depraved from the beginning, having a sin nature. When Christ imputed His righteousness to us, it did not diminish His righteousness, He is still totally righteous as God. Christ's work redeemed His people, saved them from the wrath of God, satisfied the righteousness of God, and through His resurrection, we are declared justified by God. Now, when God sees His people, He no longer sees our sin, He sees Christ and His righteousness.

Answer 2

My understanding of it, which I have gleaned from various sources and do not claim to be any kind of official teaching, is this: Our sin offends God, who is an infinite being. Since we are finite, we can never satisfy his justice. Therefore no matter how long we are in hell, the price will never be paid. That’s why hell must go on forever.

Christ, on the other hand, is an infinite being as well as finite man. Therefore his offering of himself is able to satisfy God’s justice on behalf of the entire human race, without his having to suffer forever.

I don't know if I would agree that Christ's righteousness is imputed to us. I think I would say that we become united with Christ through baptism (Rom. 6:4; Col. 2:12) and maintain our unity with him through the Eucharist (1 Cor. 10:16-17), and therefore he stands for us before the throne of the Father (Heb. 7:24-25; Rev. 5:6). It is thus that his merits are applied to us, and God's justice against us is satisfied by his sacrifice, provided by God's grace we choose to partake of same (1 Cor. 10:18; John 6:51-56), worthily (1 Cor. 11:27-29), and provided we don't turn away from the Gospel that saved us (2 Pet. 2:20-22).

Answer 3

Jesus Christ paid the penalty for the sin of all the world with His shed blood. Christ was/and is pure and Holy with out sin. He never sinned. But He paid the price for our sin on the cross.
It sounds like you are confused and trying to confuse others as well. What you need to do is confess that you are a sinner before God and seek His forgiveness. Now ask Jesus into your heart to be your LORD and Savior and to teach you what He would have you to do. Only then will you find peace in your heart with God and understand the mercy and grace of our LORD.

Answer 4

I am a Catholic.

Jesus Christ was the son of God. God sent him down for this one purpose, knowing that all Christian's sins would be deemed upon him. This is an exception by God, if I may say so. Yes, it is true that Jesus did die with the sins of others upon him, but he died in an effort to fullfill God's will. So in this context, I believe that God made an exception. Jesus saved others. It's very hard to explain but I believe that Jesus is now in Heaven at the right hand of the Father.

Very interesting question. One of the best I have seen, actually.

Answer 5

Sin leads to death, not Hell. The Bible is very clear on this. Hell is where God has to place us in the afterlife because He cannot be in the presence of sin. It is not a punishment for sin, death is.

Christ did die, and He died with the sins of those who believe upon Him. That does not mean He Himself was a sinful Person. Therefore, when His body was raised, He was again considered sinless before God, and went back to Heaven from which He came.

EDIT That was a VERY good question by the way. I had never heard it asked or discussed before, but I'm glad the answer makes sense Biblically. Keep asking questions like that!

Answer 6

I am kind of unclear on exactly what you are asking here. However when we become Christians our sins are covered in the blood. The blood washes away our sin.

Romans 4:6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,
Rom 4:7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.

Answer 7

he didn't take on hell. hell is something totally different. Hell is the judgement of sin. He took on sin. if He couldn't save you from sin, He can't save you from hell.

He drank the cup of God's wrath on calvary, He took on God's judgement of sin in our stead.... and the people in hell are drinking that wrath all day every day. the difference is damnation. why will people be condemned? for rejecting or ignoring what Christ did in their place. that is why the people in hell are taking on a punishment only an unbeliever can experience. because unbelief is the sin of sins.

also the answer is obvious... Jesus Christ is Lord, sinless and sovereign, if he were to suffer in hell, the universe might as well not even exist. read in daniel, He was cut off, but not for Himself. for He was without sin, and that is why the grave could not hold the Lord Jesus, instead the grave took us, and through Him, we are raised unto life... abundant life. selah

Answer 8

Jesus finished His work of redemption at the cross when He cried out "It is finished!" That means Jesus has already taken the whole penalty for our sins, and divine justice is satisfied. He has successfully redeemed us from destruction.

Once Jesus has finished His work, His relationship with His Father has been restored. Hence, He could say, "Father, into Your hands I commit My Spirit." (Compare this to His cry earlier "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?")

And Jesus bowed His head and gave up His Spirit. Then He entered the true Holy of Holies as our High Priest offering His own precious blood for the remission of our sins.

"But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come... with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.... into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us... He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself" (Hebrews 9:11-12; 24-26)

There is still much in the spiritual realm during Christ's death, burial and resurrection we do not understand. E.W. Kenyon has explored this subject in his book "From the Cross to the Throne". Perhaps you could read his book too?

Answer 9

Jesus DID go through Hell for us. Didn't you read the Bible?

The difference is, Jesus didn't go through finite suffering for eternity. He went through infinite suffering for a finite amount of time. Since he is God, he can do that.

You cannot merit your own forgiveness by "paying back" God for your sins, if that is what you are getting at. You have nothing to give to God that doesn't already belong to Him. When you do good works, you are NOT doing God a favor, that he should owe you anything. When you do good, you are simply doing your duty as a creature of God (Luke 17:9-11); you are NOT doing God a favor in that he somehow now owes you forgiveness for your past sins because of your good deeds (Romans 11:35). Since sin is simply a lack of good works, then by doing good, you are simply avoiding committing more sin, which means that ALL you have done is to avoid digging your hole deeper, so to speak (Mat. 25:31-46).

It is the height of human arrogance to assume that you can earn God's favor by doing good deeds in order that God owes you forgiveness. You have nothing that God needs.

And you will never pick this as a best answer, because it is not what you want to hear.

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Isaiah 64:6 (NIV)
All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.

Luke 17:7-10 (NIV)
"Suppose one of you had a servant plowing or looking after the sheep. Would he say to the servant when he comes in from the field, 'Come along now and sit down to eat'? Would he not rather say, 'Prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while I eat and drink; after that you may eat and drink'? Would he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do? So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.' "

Romans 11:35 (NIV)
"Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?"

Answer 10

Jesus Christ came to earth to be the "propipation for our sins". Jesus came to save sinners like you and me.
[ Romans 3:25]
1John 3:5 says; And ye know that He was manifested to take away our sin; and in Him is no sin.