The Double Cure

 In 1763, Augustus Toplady wrote a hymn which we still sing today. it is entitled "Rock of Ages". The first stanza is:

Rock of Ages, cleft for me,

Let me hide myself in thee;

Let the water and the blood

From thy riven side which flowed

Be of sin the double cure.

Cleanse me from its guilt and power.

Our salvation, won by the death of Christ, is a double cure for sin. 

First, as Toplady wrote, it relieves us from the guilt of our sin because Jesus bore that guilt on the cross for us. "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace..." (Ephesians 1:7) When we receive him by faith, God declares us righteous. This is justification. 

Second, Christ's death also relieves us from the power of sin. Once justified, we begin the journey of sanctification. Having repented of our sin, we seek to avoid sinning and to embrace living for Jesus in holiness. We "put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness". (Ephesians 4:24)

Do you want to know God's plan for your life? Here it is: your sanctification. This is what Romans 6 is about. "We were buried therefor with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life." (Romans 6:4) 

So, salvation is about both justification and sanctification. Jesus is your savior from sin and your Lord over the power of sin in your life.   It is your "double cure".