The Great Exchange

This diagram was featured on a recent sermon by Mark Driscoll. What this diagram shows is we as unrighteous people, who put our faith in Jesus, have been clothed with the righteousness of Christ. Our sin for his righteousness, which Martin Luther calls, "The Great Exchange."

This exchange of our sin for his righteous is based on, in my opinion, the most important verse of the Bible, "For our sake he (God) made him (Jesus) to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God" (2 Corinthians 5:21, ESV). God placed the sin of the whole world on Jesus while he was on the cross, so that we can have the righteousness of Christ.

Does this mean we will be perfect in this life? No, but we do have an advocate with the Father on our behalf and that person is Jesus (see 1 John 2:1-2). When looks at us, he does not see sinners, he sees us clothed with the righteousness of Christ, if, and that is a big if, you have put your faith and trust in Jesus Christ.

Recommend Reading: The Great Exchange by Jerry Bridges and Bob Bevington