Part 2. Christus Victor

Isaiah 54:8-10 TPT
[8] In a surge of anger, for just the briefest moment, I hid my face from you, but with everlasting kindness, I will show you my cherishing love,” says Yahweh, your Kinsman-Redeemer. [9] “To me, this is like the time when I vowed that the waters of Noah’s flood would never again cover the earth. Now I vow to you that I will neither be angry with you nor rebuke you. [10] Even if the mountains were to crumble and the hills disappear, my heart of steadfast, faithful love will never leave you, and my covenant of peace with you will never be shaken,” says Yahweh, whose love and compassion will never give up on you.

In the previous section I mentioned that before the beginning of the new millennium there had been a previous understanding of atonement, before Penal Substitution Atonement Theory and Satisfaction Theory was introduced. That theory of atonement has become known as Christus Victor, or Christ the victor. While it is not my intention to fully lay out all that this atonement might include, I do want to show it’s contrast, specifically in the area of this new relationship into which we are called.

Does God need to punish sin, or does He need to free His children from sin and it’s wages?

2 Corinthians 6:16-18 TPT
[16b] I will make my home in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people. [17] For this reason, “Come out from among them and be separate,” says the Lord. “Touch nothing that is unclean, and I will embrace you. [18] I will be a true Father to you, and you will be my beloved sons and daughters,” says the Lord Yahweh Almighty.

Christos Victor is often described as a motif rather than an atonement theory because it is a collection of scriptures that point to freedoms that Christ wins for us. It paints Christ as the victor in a cosmic battle waged for the souls of men. There are three things that are commonly listed, but there are actually five things that Christ has set us free from: sin, death, satan, the law, and the curse of the law. In addition to the these five is the ransom theme mentioned throughout all of Scripture. The word redemption in Hebrew is tied to paying a ransom for a lost love one. 

Ransom 

Mark 10:45 NASBS
[45] For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

Hosea 13:14 NASBS
[14] Shall I ransom them from the power of Sheol? Shall I redeem them from death? O Death, where are your thorns? O Sheol, where is your sting? Compassion will be hidden from My sight.

Titus 2:14 NASBS
[14] who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.

There are dozens and dozens of verses on this theme alone. For years theologians have argued about to whom this ransom payment is made. Recently many have started to express the same belief that I have, that the payment is made to the law, and by proxy, to sin and death. When Paul quotes Hosea 13:14, “Shall I ransom them from the power of Sheol? Shall I redeem them from death? O Death, where are your thorns? O Sheol, where is your sting?”, Paul then adds this concept, “The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law;” 1 Corinthians 15:56 NASBS. 

So, you can see that it is really the law that says, “if no sacrifice is payed for them, they will die.”

Since the fall of man, the law has held Man in bondage, requiring a price to be paid. Because of the fall, man has had a greater relationship with the tree of the knowledge of good and evil then with God Himself. Paul calls the very foundation of the law, the Ten Commandments, the “Ministry of condemnation”. (2 Cor 3:7)

Sin

2 Corinthians 5:21 NASBS
[21] He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Romans 5:19 NASBS
[19] For as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous.

Romans 6:6 NASBS
[6] knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin;

Romans 6:14 NASBS
[14] For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace.

Christ overcame sin in several fashions. Firstly, he became our sin, killing it, crucifying our sin nature on the cross. Secondly, he nullify the law which gave power to sin. Thirdly, he transferred his nature to us, a nature which is not dominated by sin.

Does God do this because he hates sin, or does He do this because He desires us, to have a relationship with us and for us to be like Him? If this was just about God hating sin, then there would be no need for Him to share His divine nature with us. 2 Peter 1:4

Death

Hebrews 2:14-15 NASBS
[14] Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, [15] and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives.

1 Corinthians 15:53-57 NASBS
[53] For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality. [54] But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, “Death IS SWALLOWED UP in victory. [55] O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING?” [56] The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; [57] but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Why couldn’t God just make us eternal beings? Why does He even have to worry about conquering death? The answer is, it’s all about authority. Man had relinquish his authority in sinning, enslaving himself to death. Then Christ comes as a man and submit Himself to death, even when death had no authority over Him, for He never sinned. For the wages of sin is death. Those who submit themselves to Christ are forever cut off from the link between their sin and death, in other words they are free from condemnation. Christ died in our stead so we may receive the inheritance, His inheritance, of eternal life. But remember eternal life means to know Father and Jesus. Really know. Can you see how for God this is really all about us having deep knowledge of Him through relationship?

Satan

1 John 3:8 NASBS
[8] the one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil.

Colossians 2:15 NASBS
[15] When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him.

John 14:30 NASBS
[30] I will not speak much more with you, for the ruler of the world is coming, and he has nothing in Me;

Satan is defined as the ruler of this world by Jesus, and the prince of the power of the air. And Hebrews it says that Satan held the power of death. Paul calls him and his minions, Rulers, powers and principalities. In the beginning of Jesus ministry, Satan tells Jesus that he has the authority to give him any kingdom. Jesus does not argue this with him. But, after Jesus is resurrected, He tells His apostles that He now has all authority on earth and in heaven.

Many have been troubled by the idea that Satan had any aspect of authority on the earth. I believe this is because we have lived 2000 years with him no longer having that authority. We can’t relate to what it was like. Even casting out demons seems to have become a lost art. But, evil spirits having authority over men is not something the second century Israelite would’ve doubted.

Curse

Galatians 3:13 NKJV
[13] Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”),

The curse of the law is death. The bondage of the law is sin. Christ is separating us from the law, from the curse, and from the bondage. He is defining a new relationship for us apart from all these things. A relationship made up of His righteousness, or another way of saying it might be a relationship made up of His goodness, goodness that is pointed consistently towards mankind, towards those who choose to trust Him.

Law

Galatians 5:1-3 NASBS
[1] It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery. [2] Behold I, Paul, say to you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will be of no benefit to you. [3] And I testify again to every man who receives circumcision, that he is under obligation to keep the whole Law.

Colossians 2:14 NASB
[14] having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.

2 Corinthians 3:7-9 NASB
[7] But if the ministry of death, in letters engraved on stones, came with glory, so that the sons of Israel could not look intently at the face of Moses because of the glory of his face, fading as it was, [8] how will the ministry of the Spirit fail to be even more with glory? [9] For if the ministry of condemnation has glory, much more does the ministry of righteousness abound in glory.

Hebrews 8:7-8 TPT
[7] For if that first covenant had been faultless no one would have needed a second one to replace it. [8] But God revealed the defect and limitation of the first when he said to his people, “Look! The day will come, declares the Lord, when I will satisfy the people of Israel and Judah by giving them a new covenant.

Does God want a legal relationship with mankind?

Very few Christians would support that God does, mostly because of Paul’s writings. For Paul declares that man will never be justified by the law; a man must live by faith and faith alone. I want to suggest to you that God does not even like the relationship He has with any man under the law. Consider, why would Paul tell us that man would never be justified by the law in God‘s eyes? (Romans 3:20,28, Galatians 2:16, 3:11). The law was designed for those who live without faith; it was never designed for believers and will always reek havoc upon the relationship a believer has with God. Believers are called to reject the law in favor of the justification that Christ offers to faith. 

Faith means to entrust, and to have assurance in someone. This is the type of relationship that God desires. That man would entrust themselves to Him and have assurance in Him and His character. God is trustworthy and a good Father. He is looking for a people to recognize Him and live like this is true.

In the garden there was only one command. And I tell you that command was “do not eat of the tree of the legalism”. Do not eat up the knowledge of right and wrong, good and evil, don’t subject yourself to a lifestyle where you need rules to control your behavior, to make sure you do right and not wrong. This tree turned man into a legalist and made his first reaction shame and fear of punishment. God’s first command was against a law oriented mind because a true relationship with Him must be separate from legalism. 

Even before Christ came, David was dreaming of the day were men could have a relationship with God without having to worry about the law. Romans 4:7-8 NKJV

“Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, And whose sins are covered; Blessed is the man to whom the LORD shall not impute sin.” This man who is granted relationship to God without the law, this man is the man He has blessed.

I strongly believe that God resisted giving the law because He knew it would impede His relationship with man, but God knew He would have to because legalism had become man’s nature. 

Abraham, Isaac and Jacob were never given any law. They were given promises that they would receive, and all they had to do was entrust themselves to God. But the law came when men rejected relationship with God on Mount Sinai. 

Exodus 19 sets the stage where God is going to come in power up on Mount Sinai and speak audibly to the entire nation of Israel and give them to 10 Commandments. Here we see God’s true desire. Exodus 19:5-6 NASBS

“Now then, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine; and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the sons of Israel.” 

We know that God did not intend to expand beyond the 10 Commandments because Moses lays out and the reason that the law was expanded in Deuteronomy chapter 5. First Moses tells them, [22] “These words the LORD spoke to all your assembly at the mountain from the midst of the fire, of the cloud and of the thick gloom, with a great voice, and He added no more. He wrote them on two tablets of stone and gave them to me.

Notice the phrase, “and He added no more.” 

Moses goes on to explain how their response change the situation. For they said, ‘[26] For who is there of all flesh who has heard the voice of the living God speaking from the midst of the fire, as we have, and lived? [27] Go near and hear all that the LORD our God says; then speak to us all that the LORD our God speaks to you, and we will hear and do it.’

“…tell us everything he tells you, and we will listen and obey.’ – NLT

They were not willing to entrust themselves to God. In fact they had no faith in His goodness at all. Their faith in their own strength using a law stand in stark contrast here. We know that God has defined Himself as good because He just declared it to Moses when He revealed His glory on the mountain top. Exodus 34:6-7 NASBS… “The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth;  who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin; yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished, …

Now God must respond to their fear instead of faith. He must respond to their desire to have rules instead of a relationship. Instead of making them a nation of priests He can only anoint one tribe to be his priest. “[29] Oh that they had such a heart in them, that they would fear Me and keep all My commandments always, that it may be well with them and with their sons forever! [30] Go, say to them,  ‘Return to your tents.’ [31] But as for you, stand here by Me, that I may speak to you all the commandments and the statutes and the judgments which you shall teach them, that they may observe them in the land which I give them to possess.”

Now He must add commandments and the statutes and the judgments. 

In Isaiah chapter one, God clearly speaks His dislike for the laws influence and it’s demand  of sacrifices, because  the law doesn’t cause man to come and have relationship with God. Instead men use the law as a means of keeping themself isolated from God.

Isaiah 1:11-17 NASBS
 [11] “What are your multiplied sacrifices to Me?” Says the LORD. “I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams And the fat of fed cattle; And I take no pleasure in the blood of bulls, lambs or goats. [12] “When you come to appear before Me, Who requires of you this trampling of My courts? [13] “Bring your worthless offerings no longer, Incense is an abomination to Me. New moon and sabbath, the calling of assemblies- I cannot endure iniquity and the solemn assembly. [14] “I hate your new moon festivals and your appointed feasts, They have become a burden to Me; I am weary of bearing them. [15] “So when you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you; Yes, even though you multiply prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood. [16] “Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; Remove the evil of your deeds from My sight. Cease to do evil, [17] Learn to do good; Seek justice, Reprove the ruthless, Defend the orphan, Plead for the widow.

God desires real relationship. Isaiah 29:13 NASB Then the Lord said, “Because this people draw near with their words And honor Me with their lip service, But they remove their hearts far from Me, And their reverence for Me consists of tradition learned by rote,

Hebrews 10:5-6 NASB
Therefore, when He comes into the world, He says, “Sacrifice AND OFFERING YOU HAVE NOT DESIRED, BUT a BODY YOU HAVE PREPARED FOR ME; In WHOLE BURNT OFFERINGS AND sacrifices FOR SIN YOU HAVE TAKEN NO PLEASURE.

In legal terms the law is often personified, treated as if it’s taking on human characteristics. In court system the law is often treated and spoken of as if it is a living entity. Paul does the same thing in Roman 7:4 when he declares that we died to the law and are married to another. In America we have a concept called a trust which is a document that the law treats as if it were a person who has the ability to own land and property and then give access to the property to a family. Because a trust cannot die, no death tax will ever be imposed upon that property. We have already stated that God has paid a ransom (the life of Christ) to the law as if the law were a person holding humanity in captivity. When God pays a ransom to the law it has other ramifications. 

Understand first that nowhere in Scripture has the law ever been authorized to accept a human being as a sacrifice. It is only authorized to accept the blood of animals to cover the sins of mankind. 

Even though the law is holy, when it accepted Christ, an innocent man, as atonement the law itself broke one of God’s Commandments. The beauty in this is that the law is perfectly fulfilled by accepting Christ, but by accepting Christ, it accepting the blood of a man that is innocent to cover the guilty. This is against God’s command here:

Genesis 9:4-6 NKJV
[4] But you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood. [5] Surely for your lifeblood I will demand a reckoning; from the hand of every beast I will require it, and from the hand of man. From the hand of every man’s brother I will require the life of man. [6] “Whoever sheds man’s blood, By man his blood shall be shed; For in the image of God He made man. 

This ordinance predates the law. God has demanded the life (authority) of the law because it has accepted innocent blood by demanding a sacrificial lamb and accepting Christ as that lamb. The law is in fact complicit in the crime against Jesus by accepting his blood in a sacrifice. This is the ransom payment payed to the law. Since this ordinance predates the law, God sets the law up to lose it’s authority before the law was ever even written. So, not only does Christ fulfill the laws requirements, but in doing so the law finds its own condemnation by accepting the killing an innocent man. This shows the manifold wisdom of God. 

In Colossians Paul defines the full weight of God’s condemnation of the law in the life of a believer. 

Colossians 2:13-14 NKJV
[13] And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, [14] having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.

Paul says that God nailed the law to the cross with Christ. 

So the law stands as condemnation upon anyone who rejects God, and it demonstrates their inability to be approved without Christ. But it is also completely rejected by God as a means to obtaining any type of relationship with Him. “No one comes to the Father except through Me,” says Jesus in John 14:6 kjv. And it has lost its authority to condemn the believer. 

Now we see right relationship with God defined by faith. We entrust ourselves to Him and develop a relationship with Him without the burden and bondage of the law. 

As promised by Jesus, in 70 A.D. God pored out His full wrath upon the legal system of the law and those who choose the law instead of Jesus when He destroyed the temple leaving no stone unturned even down to the foundation. The Roman armies even burned the ancestral records so that a priest could never again stand in the temple offering sacrifices to God. Even though the law defines godliness and draws men to repentance it also makes godliness impossible so therefore God has destroyed it authority to make men right before Him. 

God desires to share His nature with mankind so that we can have full relationship with him. For he says we are pre-destined to be conformed to the image of His son who had perfect relationship with his Father, but conformed by the relationship, not outside it. You are God‘s inheritance. You are what He has desired. You are the pearl of great price. You are the prodigal son that he cloths with robes of righteousness. You are the one He has adopted into His family and restored your proper position in Christ as a son of God Most High. 

Jeremiah 31:32-34 NLT
[32] This covenant will not be like the one I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand and brought them out of the land of Egypt. They broke that covenant, though I loved them as a husband loves his wife,” says the LORD. [33] “But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel after those days,” says the LORD. “I will put my instructions deep within them, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. [34] And they will not need to teach their neighbors, nor will they need to teach their relatives, saying, ‘You should know the LORD.’ For everyone, from the least to the greatest, will know me already,” says the LORD. “And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins.”

This is the relationship He has called you to, to know Him, and as a result of knowing Him, He makes you like Him. God won’t accept any other type of relationship as right except the one we gain by entrusting ourselves to Him, trusting in what Jesus has done to set us free,  to make us His alone.

Part 3. His victory over the Condemnation Identity