In some ways guilt and death function similarly. We don’t like to think about it; we try to avoid it and recast it. However, when it is rightly gazed upon and thought through in light of the person and work of Christ, it serves not as the uncomfortable, uncontrollable joy sapper, but rather a providential chauffeur that transports a weak man to a strong man, from the despair of self-dependency to the joy of Christ-dependency. Indeed it is only Christ who has conquered death. And it is only Christ who has poured himself out as a guilt offering for his people. And it is only in Christ that you and I might rightly deal with both guilt and death. You cannot get much more everyday practical than this. Christ is glorious!
…Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, (2Ti 1.10)
Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. (Isa 53.10)
how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God. (Heb 9.14)
Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.” (Joh 8.51)
But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. (Heb 2.1)
