Substitionary Atonement and the Implications for Human Guilt Over Sin
by Bryan Carlson
Substitutionary atonement is defined as: “the work Christ did in his life and death to earn our salvation” (Grudem 568).
The idea of atonement first appeared in Genesis 1:26-28, where God made garments of animal skin to cover Adam and Eve after they sinned against Him. The act of clothing them symbolized the beginning of the sacrificial system, which involved the offering of animals to atone for sin. Throughout the Old Testament, the prophets spoke of the coming of a Messiah who would make a final and complete atonement for sin. Isaiah 9:6-7 refers to the birth of a child who would be the Savior, while Isaiah 53:10 speaks of the suffering that the Lord would endure to provide this salvation. Jesus Christ, “the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world” (John 1:29) died on the cross as a substitute for humanity, taking on the punishment that humanity deserved for our sins. Romans 5:8-10 states that "God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” It goes on to say that since we have been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. As enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son and can now be saved by His life. Christ's sacrificial death on the cross was necessary for our reconciliation with God. Similarly, 1 Peter 2:24 says that "He Himself bore our sins in His body” so we can be healed. The nature of the atonement is that Jesus lived a perfect life and suffered on the cross. He endured physical pain, bore the weight of sin, was abandoned by His disciples, and bore the wrath of God. His sacrifice was complete, paid in full, and necessary for the salvation of God's people. (Romans 5:19, Hebrews 5:8, Isaiah 53:3, Mark 15:24, 1 Corinthians 5:21)
The implications of this doctrine for human guilt over sin are profound. Through Christ's death on the cross, we can be healed from the effects of sin and live a life of righteousness. This provides hope for those who are struggling with the consequences of their sins. Through accepting Christ's sacrifice on the cross, we can be forgiven and reconciled to God (2 Corinthians 5:21). This leads to a liberation from the guilt and shame that comes with sin and the ability to live a life of freedom, peace, and joy in Christ. “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free” (Galatians 5:1). Through the sacrifice of Jesus, we can experience the transformative power of God's grace, be freed from the bonds of sin and its destructive effects and live holy lives in freedom and victory. Christians are holy because of our calling in Christ, because of His atonement for our sins, and because of the continual work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
In Freudian psychology, false guilt is often seen as harmful because it can lead to negative self-esteem, anxiety, and depression. This includes a sense of guilt aroused by the conscience from standards imposed by others (Roy 23) . We need to reject this idea in Biblical Counseling. We are guilty. “Guilt is defined as a judicial condition caused by sin. A person is guilty because they violated God’s standards. Thus, guilt is a legal condition whereby the person has violated the law and is therefore subject to punishment. Our guilt should lead us to repentance” (Faith notes 113).“They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them” (Romans 2:15) Our hope over guilt in only in Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 12:9 says, "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me." 2 Corinthians 5:21 says, “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology, 568.
Don Roy, IBCD, ACBC Theology Exam Study Guide, 23.
Faith Biblical Counseling, ACBC Exam Track 5, 113.
