Christ Our Scapegoat

The scapegoat in the Old Testament symbolically took away the sins of the nation of Israel (Leviticus 16). The High Priest laid his hands upon the scapegoat. That symbolized the transfer of the peoples sins to another. Then, the scapegoat was led into the wilderness, symbolizing sins taken away. That Old Testament figure points to our Lord Jesus Christ. As believers in Christ, your sins are gone. 

The scapegoat in the Old Testament foreshadowed Jesus taking your sins away. The Lord Jesus Christ was punished in our place as sinners at the cross. That's the Gospel of Christ (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). He who was sinless, was punished for your sins. Through faith in Christ your sins are gone.

Charles Spurgeon preached, "Now, he who believes in Jesus, who puts his hands upon the head of Jesus of Nazareth, the Scapegoat of His people, has lost his sins. His faith is sure evidence that his iniquities were of old laid upon the head of the great Substitute. The Lord Jesus Christ was punished in our place."

Spurgeon taught the truth of the Gospel, when he declared faith is the evidence. By grace through faith in Christ, our sins are gone. The Bible teaches, "the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin" (1 John 1:7). God's Son has taken all your sins away. Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is evidence that your sins are gone.

Anyone May Be Saved

J. I. Packer wrote, "Rather, we should live in light of the certainty that anyone may be saved if he or she will but repent and put faith in Christ." 

The gospel is for anyone who will believe and confess Jesus Christ is Lord (John 1:12; Romans 10:9). The promise of God is certain, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved (Romans 10:13; Joel 2:32). That's who God saves.

The Scripture is clear that we are saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). Our salvation is receiving the gift of God in Christ. The Spirit of God convicts us of the sin of unbelief, not trusting in Christ alone to save us (John 16:8-9).

The Holy Spirit enables us to put faith in Christ our Lord. Saving faith is an abiding gift of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 13:13). Through faith alone in Christ alone is how God's grace saves us.

What about those who will not repent and put faith in Christ? J. I. Packer wrote, "God gives them over to their sins (i.e., removes restraints on their doing the disobedient things they desire), this is itself the beginning of judgment. It is called 'hardening' (Romans 9:18; 11:25; cf. Ps. 81:12; Romans 1:24, 26, 28), and it inevitably leads to greater guilt."

If You Are Converted

Conversion is repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 20:21). The Holy Spirit enables you to repent and believe the gospel of Christ. God's goodness leads you to repent (Romans 2:4). If you are converted, you have faith in Jesus Christ our Lord.

If you are converted, it's the gospel of Christ (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). The Holy Spirit brings conviction as you hear the gospel. Conversion is preceded by the Spirit of grace. The Lord opens your heart to hear the gospel (Acts 16:13-15). The Holy Spirit convicts and convinces you of the need to believe in Christ (John 16:7-11). 

If you are converted, your life is changed through the Holy Spirit. Repentance is a change of mind through the renewing of the Holy Spirit transforming your life (Romans 12:2). Faith is an abiding gift of the Holy Spirit. He enables you to repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 18:27).

Evidence that you are converted is clear. Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him (1 John 5:1). Conversion to Christ is evident, as you love God and others. Love is the greatest gift of the Holy Spirit, because God is love (1 Corinthians 13:13; 1 John 4:8).