A man cannot stand before God on his own.

A man’s righteousness, even that of the best of men, is nothing but filthy rags before the perfectly holy God of all Creation.

So, men look for a substitute. Something or someone that will represent them before the Lord. Something, other than themselves, that they can rely upon and stand behind.

This is why the Substitutionary Atonement of Christ is so critical. Without the Lord standing in the place of a man, he has no hope whatsoever. 

Regardless of who that man is. 

The Complete Substitute for Men 

Interestingly, though, even among those who “profess” to be Christians, there are many famous “Christian” men and women (both current and in the past) who have denied the substitutionary atonement of Christ.

Denials of Christ’s substitution either in whole or in part.   

For example, many denominations within the big wide world of “Christendom” do not fully believe that Christ’s work on Calvary was sufficient. Meaning, they are trying to ADD something to His work. 

They do Not accept that His work stands by itself. They deny that it was completed. That it was finished. 

And, consequently, that a man can place the full weight of his faith upon the Lord Jesus as His Salvation. 

This is true of Catholicism as well as of the vast majority of Protestantism. Most of whom Add “sacraments” of one form or another to the work of Christ. Such as Water Baptism, taking of the Eucharist, Communion, Confession of sins to a Priest, and so many other things. 

Or those who believe that the sacrifice of Christ on the cross must be repeated continually day after day. As in the observance of the “unbloody sacrifice” of the Mass that Catholics, Episcopalians, and other groups observe. 

Which, basically, is similar to what those Jews did who continued to often sacrifices after Christ died upon the cross. Even after the veil of the Holy of Holies was torn from top to bottom.

Forever opening up the way “into the holiest of all“. 

A World Full of False Substitutes

Every man, since the beginning of Creation, has been looking for something to use as a substitute before God. Even substituting things that are not normally considered “religious”. 

Some believe that education is the key. That knowledge and enlightenment are the way.

Or going deeper into themselves – looking for that Higher Self through meditation or applying “spiritual disciplines”. Like the Eastern mystics did. And whom the ancient “desert fathers” copied – bringing those pagan practices over into Catholicism. And to whom the modern resurgence of the Contemplative Spirituality can be traced. 

Some try to substitute the Humanist path. Believing that their good works and good deeds are worthy before God. That their works of “love” are what are needed. which is an especially seductive way today. Followed even by those who claim to have no religion whatsoever. 

Some place their faith in “science”. Trusting science almost as if it were some kind of force or entity. Believing that their pursuit of science will lead a man to a full, open-faced understanding of all things. To the “reality”, they believe, that those who ignorantly believe the Bible are not smart enough or wise enough to accept.

The Coming New Heaven and New Earth 

Some seek the natural way. Trying to go “back to the earth” or back to Nature. Striving to be one with nature and live in harmony with the earth. Not merely to live a simpler or healthier life but seeking harmony and peace in the natural world. Many believing that the earth, or Gaia, is a living being that should be worshipped. 

Not realizing that man’s sin has placed the earth under a curse. And that the natural world is in direct conflict with man. And that the only real solution for man, as well as for this world, is that one day the Lord will remake this world, the universe, and a new heaven in purity and righteousness.

His new universe will be one of total beauty and perfection unlike anything man has ever seen or imagined. 

But until that day, the whole created world groans and travails together while waiting for that ultimate redemption by Christ. 

So, the bottom line is . . . that there is no substitution for man except through Christ alone.

And that He, by His completed, finished, and fully-sufficient work stands ready to be the One and Only Substitute for every man, woman, or child who will place their full faith and trust in Him Alone.

And Not in any other. Either in full or in part. 

“Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”

 (I John 4:10) 

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