The Active Obedience of Christ
J. Gresham Machen’s last words in a telegram just before his death on January 1, 1937 were: “I’m so thankful for the active obedience of Christ. No hope without it.” Machen was one of the most important figures in American church history in the early 20th century. He was a staunch defender of historic, biblical Christianity against Protestant liberalism which denied the basic truths of the Bible. He founded Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia and the Orthodox Presbyterian Church denomination. Who knows where today’s evangelical and its churches would be without him?
Why would Machen write this and what does this mean? We know that Christ’s passive obedience was His work on the cross. This specifically provided the atonement and forgiveness of sins for His people.
Christ’s active obedience is the doctrine whereby Christ not only fulfilled (satisfied) the law’s demands while He was on earth; but He fulfilled it on our behalf! See Matthew 5:17, Philippians 3:9 and Galatians 4:4-5. As a result, Christ’s active obedience specifically provides eternal life to believers. This is because even though our slate is wiped clean by the cross at the moment of conversion, we are still called to obediently follow God’s laws perfectly in order to keep on living. This is known as the Covenant of Works with Adam (Genesis 2:17) and seen in the NT in Romans 10:8. Machen wrote that, if not for the active obedience of Christ, we would just go back to being like Adam with the command to obey the law perfectly all over again.
Obviously, we do not keep the law perfectly, which is why we still die today. However, Christ’s active obedience and life of sinlessness (1 John 3:5) provide whatever deficit we have in keeping the law for eternal life. This gift of Jesus is known as the righteousness of Christ.
This is why Machen wrote that there is no hope without Christ’s active obedience. This righteousness from Christ was imputed/reckoned/counted/credited to us the moment we have faith in Christ. (Romans 4:3) At the same time, our record or lack of thereof in keeping the law is imputed/reckoned/counted/credited to Christ. This could not have happened without Christ’s perfect and active obedience to the law.
And what a relief! We no longer face condemnation for failing to keep the law; but rather, face justification on Christ’s behalf! This is why we celebrate the birth of Christ who was called holy, the Son of God during Christmas. This celebration is because it not only anticipates His work on the cross but celebrates the life He lived on Earth.
Reflection:
Like many of you, I have been at times bewildered (like Charlie Brown!) by being unhappy and/or irritated during Christmas. Maybe it’s because the culture is pressuring you to be happy all the time. Maybe it’s because there is so much emphasis on the family. Or, it could be because it always makes you miss the loved ones who have passed away. I’ve even thought that Christmas time always reminds you of what you don’t have.
For the first time in a while, I can say I have not had these feelings this year. As I have been thinking and writing about the active obedience of Christ, my heart has once again rejoiced in the knowledge and experience of the gospel. Christmas is a wonderful opportunity and reminder of what you do have: And that is Christ, the Savior who is born. The gospel message compels you to not look inside yourselves for happiness and meaning. Rather, it compels you to Seek first the kingdom of God.” (Matthew 6:33). Jesus is the reason for the season is an old cliché but that doesn’t mean it isn’t valid.
Doing Good Works
Just because we have been justified by faith instead by our good works, that does not mean we’re not supposed to do any good works. It still is tempting to avoid keeping the law. Aren’t we going to be forgiven anyway? Why should we then keep the law since Christ fulfills it for us? But John Calvin wrote that even though we are justified by faith alone, it is not a faith that is alone. This is what the book of James is all about.
The active obedience of Christ should motivate us to do our best to observe the law in our Christian lives. It’s like when you have been given an extra boost or head start in doing something: Why not maximize it by working even harder? This is why we may especially do good works during the Christmas season. These gifts of love are really a response of thanksgiving to God’s gift of salvation in Christ. (Ephesians 2:10) Doing good works also should give us some assurance of our walk with the Lord as we saw in 1 John.
The active obedience of Christ has really made me appreciate the role of the law and gospel in the Christian life. Without the demands of God’s law, there is no gospel to redeem mankind from. At times, I think we can be so “allergic” to any hint of legalism, we run away and dismiss the law as being any good. But the law points to our need for a Savior.
As we heard in a recent sermon, when King Josiah discovered the Book of the Law, look at the transformation that ensued for the kingdom of Judah. The law reflects the righteousness of God. We love Him by obeying His commands. (1 John 5:3) The re-emergence of the law in our lives can also transform us if properly understood and applied. And the active obedience of Christ does that in such a way that in the words of Machen: “The gospel does not abrogate God’s law, it causes men to love it with all their hearts.”
“Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day.” Psalm 119:97