Giving Up Our Sin for His Righteousness

In A Tale of Two Cities, Charles Darnay did not believe Sydney Carton could help him escape from prison; nevertheless, he reluctantly removed his own clothes so he could dress in the clothes Sydney Carton was wearing. Indeed, both acts were necessary. He had to remove his own clothes so Carton could become a prisoner. He also had to dress in Carton's clothes so he could leave prison and become a free man.

Likewise Jesus has offered to accept the guilt and penalty of our sin, but we must be willing to let go of our sins. We cannot cling to our sins if he is to accept them. Jesus said we must repent of our sin: "I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish" (Luke 13:3). He said this not because he wishes to spoil our fun, but he wants to save us from sin's penalty which he is willing to take upon himself.

Then, when our sin is removed, we can be dressed in his righteousness. Paul tells us how this happens: "You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ" (Galatians 3:26-27). We allow Jesus to clothe us in his righteousness at baptism because we believe that only through his righteousness can we escape our penalty and become free persons.