The Fruit of Christ's Death
T. Manton, D. D. 2 Corinthians 5:14 For the love of Christ constrains us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: When Christ died all believers were dead in Him to sin and to the world. I. THIS TRUTH IS ASSERTED IN SCRIPTURE (Romans 6:6; 1 Peter 4:1; Galatians 2:20; Colossians 3:3-5). II. HOW CAN ALL BE SAID TO BE DEAD WHEN CHRIST DIED, SINCE MOST WERE NOT BORN? 1. Christ sustained the relation of our Head. It was not in His own name that He appeared before God's tribunal, but in ours, not as a private, but as a public person, so that when He was crucified all believers were crucified in Him, for the act of a common person is the act of every particular person represented by him, as a member of parliament serveth for his whole borough or county. Now that Christ was such a common person appeareth plainly by this, that Christ was to us in grace what Adam was to us in nature or sin (Romans 5:14; 1 Corinthians 15:21, 45). 2. Christ was on the Cross not only as a common person, but as a surety. In His death there was not only a satisfaction for sin, but an obligation to destroy it (Romans 6:6). (1) On God's part Christ undertook to destroy the body of sin by the power of His Spirit (Titus 3:5; Romans 8:13). (2) On our part He undertook that we should no longer serve sin, but use all godly endeavours for the subduing it. Christ's act being the act of a surety, He did oblige all the parties interested. 3. Our consent to this engagement is — (1) Actually given when we are converted (Romans 6:13). Till the merit of Christ's death be applied by faith to the hearts of sinners, they are alive to sin, but dead to righteousness; but then they are dead to sin, and alive to righteousness, and as alive yield up themselves to serve God in all things. (2) Solemnly implied in baptism (Romans 6:3-5). III. HOW CAN CHRISTIANS BE DEAD TO SIN AND THE WORLD, SINCE AFTER CONVERSION THEY FEEL SO MANY CARNAL MOTIONS? 1. By consenting to Christ's engagement they have bound themselves to die unto sin (Romans 6:2; Colossians 3:3-5). 2. When the work is begun, corruption is wounded to the very heart (Romans 6:14). 3. The work is carried on by degrees, and the strength of sin is weakened by the power of grace, though not totally subdued (Galatians 5:17). 4. Christ hath undertaken to subdue it wholly, and at length the soul shall be without spot, blemish, or wrinkle (Ephesians 5:27; Philippians 1:6; 1 Thessalonians 5:23, 24). IV. WHAT USE THE DEATH OF CHRIST HATH TO MAKE US DIE UNTO SIN AND THE WORLD. 1. This was Christ's end. He died not only to expiate the guilt of sin, but also to take away its strength and power (1 John 3:8; Galatians 2:17). Now shall we make void the end of Christ's death, which was to oppose and resist sin? Shall we cherish that which He came to destroy? God forbid. Paul gloried in the Cross, as by it crucified to the world (Galatians 6:14). 2. By way of representation, the death and agonies of Christ do set forth the hatefulness of sin. 3. It worketh on love. It should make sin hateful to consider what it did to Christ, our dearest Lord and Redeemer. 4. By way of merit. Christ shed His blood not only to redeem us from the displeasure of God and the rigour of the law, but from all iniquity (Titus 2:14; 1 Peter 1:18; Galatians 1:4). Our dying to sin is a part of Christ's purchase as well as pardon. 5. By way of pattern. Christ hath taught us how to die to sin by the example of His own death, that is, He denied Himself for us that we might deny ourselves for Him. (T. Manton, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: WEB: For the love of Christ constrains us; because we judge thus, that one died for all, therefore all died.