Among the factors discussed are the penal, substitutionary aspects of Jesus’ death. And well they might be. Apart from an understanding of these factors, you don’t have a proper grasp of what transpired on Calvary.

The death of Jesus Christ was penal. That is to say, He suffered for the sins of those who would believe in Him. The cross was a cruel method of execution, designed to prolong death in an agonizing manner. To eliminate the excruciating (a word that comes from crucifixion) aspect of he death is a gross mistake. People deserve to be punished for their sins. Sin is rebellion against a holy God, and nothing less can satisfy His justice.

The death of Jesus Christ was also substitutionary. In all respects that sinners were to be punished, he was punished in their stead. In 1 Corinthians 15, the Greek word huper is used to describe it. That term means “on behalf of,” or “instead of,” clearly indicating that Jesus’ death was substitutionary. The guiltless One dies in the place of the guilty ones.

Too often, today, all we hear is that Jesus is a Savior. Of course, He is, But it is essential to fill out that term with all of the facts that make it meaningful. These terms describe two of those essential features of Jesus’ death on the cross. In explaining the Gospel, let’s be sure that they are both plainly set forth.

Check out our online courses, including, Introduction to Nouthetic Counseling and  The Use of Scripture in Counseling, taught by Jay Adams!

Books related to counseling others:

1. Competent to Counsel by Jay Adams
2. The Christian Counselor’s Manual by Jay Adams
3. How to Help People Change by Jay Adams
4. Check out our Bookstore for all the best counseling books!

The Christian Counselor’s New Testament and Proverbs, translated by Jay Adams

Visit our online bookstore for all your biblical counseling resource needs.
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The post Two Essential Factors appeared first on Institute for Nouthetic Studies | Biblical Counseling.

Only when they do, though numerically the same, they will not be like the old body at all. The believer’s new body will be perfect, without defect, full of life and vigor, never again to experience the ravages of sin, never to die again!

I cannot fathom what such a body will be like! It is far beyond anything in our present experience. I cannot describe it.

But there is one fact that I do know—when we get them, our bodies will be like “His glorious body.” His body had new powers, was indestructible, and even fit for heaven where it now resides on the throne of the universe!

I don’t even want to know anything more than the glimpses that we have been given! I’m looking forward to being surprised! A surprise birthday party is best of all. Isn’t it?

Will you receive a glorious body in which to serve the Lord at the resurrection—one that will suffer no more from the baleful effects of sin? It is yours for the asking—Ask Jesus Christ to save you. Confess your sin and repent of it. Believe the Gospel that Christ died for guilty sinners like you, and rose again in a newly perfect body. If you do, so will you!

Check out our online courses, including, Introduction to Nouthetic Counseling and  The Use of Scripture in Counseling, taught by Jay Adams!

Books related to counseling others:

1. Competent to Counsel by Jay Adams
2. The Christian Counselor’s Manual by Jay Adams
3. How to Help People Change by Jay Adams
4. Check out our Bookstore for all the best counseling books!

The Christian Counselor’s New Testament and Proverbs, translated by Jay Adams

Visit our online bookstore for all your biblical counseling resource needs.
For more biblical counseling training, check out our list of INS Online Courses.

Follow INS on Social Media:
– Facebook: noutheticstudies
– Twitter: @noutheticstud
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The post Resurrection appeared first on Institute for Nouthetic Studies | Biblical Counseling.

“That for sure! Unless, of course, Jesus returns beforehand, and changes us so that it isn’t necessary to die.”

Are you expecting that to happen in your case?

“Well, it could. I’m younger than you (sorry to have to bring up the point).”

No problem. I know how old I am; my body won’t let me forget it. But back to the subject—are you looking forward to the second coming as a way of escaping death?

“Well . . . sorta’”

Hmmmm. Are you looking forward to death if that’s what will happen instead?

“That’s a bit different.”

How come?

“Well . . . I’m not sure.”

Will the transition from life to larger life by death be any different?

“Dunno.”

In either case, you will be with the Lord. which Paul says is “far better. And Jesus told the thief that when they died they’d be together that very day in Paradise.

“Yea. You’re right. But I wouldn’t yet have my glorified body.”

Correct. But with or without a body, Paul said that in Paradise, which he equated with the third heaven, he heard all sorts of good stuff he couldn’t reveal (II Corinthians 12:4). Sounds like a great place to be while awaiting the resurrection of the body.

“Yeah. Suppose you’re right.”

Sure I am. Paul couldn’t wait to die, which he called “gain” (Philippians 1:21). Anyone you know who doesn’t like to gain something?

“Don’t think so. But what sort of gain will I get?”

We know very little about the intermediate state between death and the resurrection. We do know that it is called “heaven” and “paradise,” however, and that’s a pretty good indication that the gain will be pleasant. We know that we’ll be with Christ, which is wonderful. We know that we will leave the sorrows of sin behind. Sounds like we know all we need to know to strongly anticipate it.

“You’re right. The only difference then, between transformation at Christ’s coming and transformation at death has to do with the body, and with how we leave this present world. It’s not death I fear, but the deterioration of the body that often leads so it. If I go at the second coming, I might avoid some of that.”

That’s about all the difference.

“But I guess that too is one more opportunity to lay up treasures in heaven—if I handle suffering leading to death Christ’s way.”

Right you are. So if one is a Christian, one way or another, he has nothing to lose and everything to gain.

“Sounds great, either way!”

Check out our online courses, including, Introduction to Nouthetic Counseling and  The Use of Scripture in Counseling, taught by Jay Adams!

Books related to counseling others:

1. Competent to Counsel by Jay Adams
2. The Christian Counselor’s Manual by Jay Adams
3. How to Help People Change by Jay Adams
4. Check out our Bookstore for all the best counseling books!

The Christian Counselor’s New Testament and Proverbs, translated by Jay Adams

Visit our online bookstore for all your biblical counseling resource needs.
For more biblical counseling training, check out our list of INS Online Courses.

Follow INS on Social Media:
– Facebook: noutheticstudies
– Twitter: @noutheticstud
– Instagram: @noutheticstudies

The post Transformation—How? appeared first on Institute for Nouthetic Studies | Biblical Counseling.