Bethany Bullet - June 30, 2010

“As if!”

According to the slang dictionary the term “As if!” has its origins in 1980 Southern California. The term “As if!” is a sarcastic exclamation to an impossible declaration or a foolish and ridiculous offer.

St. Paul in his letter to the Galatians uses Abraham as a great “As if!” There were those who said, Jesus plus ones keeping of the Old Covenant laws is what secured your place in God’s family. As if! Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness. Before Abraham was kosher eating and Sabbath keeping - God had declared him righteous through faith in the promise of God.

The means by which we are reconciled to God are His great “As if!” Some might think it impossible or outlandish, but this “As if!” is not sacred sarcasm but Divine declaration.

God the Father views Jesus Christ as if He is guilty of every sin ever committed. Every transgression from your past and every failure yet to come, God sees Jesus as if He is guilty of each. From the most minor infraction (white lies and scoffing glances) to the most heinous of atrocities (genocide and infanticide) Jesus bears them all. Then, through faith God the Father sees us as if we are pure & holy and blameless & perfect; that which Christ possesses the Father credits to us through faith, as if it is ours innately.

“Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree. He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the spirit.” -Galatians 3:13-14

-Pastor Kevin Kritzer