Thus then has our Lord Jesus Christ, by the sacrifice of himself, which is of eternal avail Hab. x.12.14.18 made an atonement for us. “Christ has redeemed us from ‘the curse of the law, being made a curse for us.’” That is when he suffered himself to be hung upon the cross, and to be numbered with those of whom it is said, “Cursed is ‘every one who hangeth upon a tree,’” or who is crucified. Gal.iii 13.

 

Thus (as was said) has Jesus Christ by offering himself up to God for us, and submitting to the death of the cross, made such an all sufficient propitiation at the judgment-seat of God, that nothing could possibly be more perfect.

We must therefore rank among such as are ignorant of the grace of the New Covenant, every one, who independent of Christ, and of the merits of his blood and death, seeks any other means of being delivered from the curse, which oppresses him on account of sin; every one, who in any measure would atone for his own sin, and inflict upon himself this or that punishment or penance, in order to appease the wrath of God, and to reconcile himself to him; and lastly, every one, who does this and the other supposed good works, for example, fasting, giving alms, leading a rigorous life, with more of the same kind, with a view of meriting and purchasing forgiveness of sins from God. Nay, if we consider the matter right, he thus derogates from the merits, death, blood, and sacrifice of Christ, as if they were not sufficient and efficacious enough for the atonement of our sins, and for redemption, Gal.ii 21. Whereas he that receives it by faith, and relies confidently upon it, honors God’s holy counsel of grace for our salvation, and he will certainly not miss the way to it. But on the other hand, all those who seek a propitiation out of Christ, let them mean ever so well, certainly deceive themselves, and are miserably deceived. They choose for themselves a way of salvation, in which they can find no rest for their souls, and which can administer to them no living hope of eternal life; nay, in this pursuit they perish infallibly, John iii.36. Now, inasmuch as the atonement has been made by the sacrifice of Jesus once for all, and by this an eternal redemption is obtained; so with respect to mankind doth the work of reconciliation, of the only Mediator, the Man Jesus Christ, continue, till the time that is described. I Cor. xv. 24&c. When God shall have put all his enemies under his feet (the Mediator’s) and when all that died in Adam shall be made alive in him, I Cor. xv. 22. Then shall he deliver up the kingdom to God, even the Father, and put down all rule, and all authority and power. Till then he is constantly employed in the work of the reconciliation of mankind to God.

AUGUST GOTTLIEB SPANGENBERG,
In 1778