7. The Saving Work of Jesus Christ

The Humiliation of Christ in His Saving Work

In the entirety of his life and death, Jesus Christ humbled himself[1] to serve as our mediator[2] in obedience to his Father’s saving purposes.[3] As the second Adam,[4] his sinless life[5] of wholehearted obedience to God’s law obtained the gift of perfect righteousness[6] and eternal life[7] for all of God’s elect.[8] In his substitutionary death on behalf of his people,[9] Christ offered himself by the Spirit[10] as a perfect sacrifice, which satisfied the demands of God’s law by paying the full penalty for their sins.[11] On the cross, Christ bore our sins,[12] took our punishment,[13] propitiated God’s wrath against us,[14] vindicated God’s righteousness,[15] and purchased our redemption[16] in order that we might be reconciled to God[17] and live with him in blessed fellowship forever.[18]

 

The Efficacy of Christ’s Saving Work

God the Father was pleased to accept Christ’s sacrifice as a complete atonement for sin, raising him to new life[19] and vindicating his identity and work as the Messiah.[20] For those who place their faith in Jesus Christ, God’s righteousness requires no further sacrifice for sin,[21] nor is there any human achievement or merit to be added to Christ’s accomplishment.[22] The atoning work of Christ is wholly efficacious,[23] securing the full salvation of all the elect by purchasing the forgiveness of sins,[24] the gifts of faith and repentance,[25] eternal life,[26] and every other blessing that comes to God’s people.[27] As the sole and sufficient atonement for sin,[28] Christ’s saving work is to be proclaimed to all people without exception as the only means of reconciliation with God.[29] There is no other mediator between God and man than our Savior, Jesus Christ,[30] and he will receive with redeeming love all who come to him in faith.[31]

 

The Exaltation of Christ in His Saving Work

The exaltation of Christ in his resurrection, ascension, and reign reveals the full glory of his mediatorial work.[32] Raised by the power of God,[33] Christ triumphed over sin, death, and Satan,[34] and, as the firstfruits of the new creation,[35]gives eternal life to all who are united to him by faith.[36] Having ascended to the Father’s right hand,[37] Christ pours out the Spirit on his people[38] and intercedes on their behalf[39] as a Great High Priest,[40] constantly advocating their cause[41] and granting them access into God’s presence.[42] As the exalted Lord, Christ reigns with all authority as universal king[43] and head of his church,[44] governing the affairs of men and nations[45] and empowering his people to be victorious over sin and Satan.[46] The consummation of Christ’s saving work will occur when he returns to judge the world in righteousness,[47] deliver the kingdom to his Father,[48] and receive eternal worship as King of kings and Lord of lords.[49]


[1] Phil 2:6-8.

[2] 1 Tim 2:5; Heb 9:15; 12:24.

[3] John 4:34; 5:30; 6:38.

[4] Rom 5:14; 1 Cor 15:45.

[5] 2 Cor 5:21; Heb 4:15; 1 Pet 2:22.

[6] Rom 5:17-21; 2 Cor 5:21; Phil 3:9.

[7] John 3:14-16; 5:24; Titus 3:7; 1 John 5:11.

[8] John 6:37; 10:29; Eph 1:3-5.

[9] Isa 53:4-6, 12; Matt 20:28; 2 Cor 5:21.

[10] Heb 9:14.

[11] John 19:30; Rom 8:1; Heb 1:3.

[12] 1 Pet 2:24.

[13] Gal 3:13.

[14] Rom 5:9.

[15] Rom 3:25-26.

[16] Rom 3:24; Eph 1:7.

[17] Rom 5:10; 2 Cor 5:18; Col 1:22.

[18] Ezek 37:27; John 17:3; Rev 21:3.

[19] Acts 3:15; 13:30; Rom 10:9; 1 Cor 15:15.

[20] Acts 2:22-36; 4:10-12; Rom 1:3-4.

[21] Rom 3:25-26; 5:9; Heb 10:10.

[22] Rom 3:27; 1 Cor 1:29-31; Gal 6:14; Eph 2:9; Phil 3:7-9.

[23] Col 1:20; Heb 7:25; 9:12-14; 1 John 1:7.

[24] Matt 26:28; Luke 24:47; Acts 10:43; Col 1:14.

[25] Jer 31:33; Ezek 36:26-27; Eph 2:8-9; Phil 1:29.

[26] John 3:16; 5:24; 6:40; Acts 13:48; Rom 5:21; 6:23; 1 Tim 1:16.

[27] 1 Cor 2:21-23; Eph 1:3; 1 Pet 1:3.

[28] Acts 4:12; Heb 7:27; 9:26.

[29] Matt 28:19-20; Luke 24:47; Acts 17:30; Rom 10:14-17; 15:20.

[30] 1 Tim 2:5.

[31] Matt 11:28; John 6:37; Rev 5:9.

[32] Eph 1:20-23; Col 1:18-20; Rev 5:5-14.

[33] Acts 2:24; Rom 1:3-4.

[34] John 12:31; Eph 1:20-21; Col 2:13-15; Heb 2:14-15.

[35] 1 Cor 15:20, 23.

[36] John 5:21; 6:40, 54; 1 Cor 15:45. 

[37] Acts 1:9; 2:33; Eph 4:8.

[38] John 3:34; Acts 2:33.

[39] Rom 8:34; Heb 7:25.

[40] Heb 4:14-15.

[41] 1 John 2:1.

[42] Rom 5:2; Eph 2:18; 3:12.

[43] Matt 28:18; Eph 1:22.

[44] Eph 1:22; 5:23; Col 1:18.

[45] Rev 1:5; 17:14; 19:16.

[46] Eph 6:10-11; 1 John 5:4-5.

[47] Acts 17:31; Rom 2:16; 2 Tim 4:1.

[48] 1 Cor 15:24.

[49] Rev 17:14; 19:16.