I find very beautiful the explanation that Jesus died to show us both the gravity of sin and the boundlessness of God's love. But the crucifixion was more than a mere demonstration, or so it seems, because Christ merited grace for us as well. How would grace fit into this? Maybe God connects the transmission of his grace to the love of Christ in order to show us that the spiritual goods we receive come from a sacrificial love and, like the crucifixion itself, do not come to us without the price of sin and the boundlessness of love at the same time?
Thomas thinks that each of Jesus’ actions is infinitely meritorious. There is enough merit in the Incarnation of Christ to save every man woman and child for all of time. The Crucifixion, as an act of the God-man, does merit grace for us just as every other act of Christ does.
In addition to meriting for us, the Crucifixion also removed an obstacle in us by giving us an incentive to love God in return.
The Crucifixion does merit for us! Infinitely so!
In this article I’m emphasizing the fact that the Crucifixion saves us by inciting us to love God. I did not mean to say that it was not meritorious.
And yes, I think your point about sacrificial love is a good one. Jesus is setting us the ultimate example on the Cross.
Good question! Maybe I’ll write an article on that in the future.
Even though merited redemption for all men, the application of His merit is finite. The principle means of applying His merit comes through the Sacraments. That’s why blood and water flow forth from Jesus side, to signify the two most important sacraments of Eucharist and baptism.
Well explained. I struggle with the passion in general, the suffering the Lord went through. In my mind, I get it, but my heart still recoils at the whole thing. Mostly because He had to do much of it alone, I guess. Where was everybody? That makes me angry. I get that this was out of love, but, my heart still doesn't accept this much.
Sure, I'm a sister, tho. I know my profile pic is confusing. That's my fav carmelite, st John of the Cross. I will add you to my prayer list. Any special issues?
I think it's a grace that your heart stuggles. In prayer I came to understand that Jesus' heart was terribly hurt during the passion. Jesus does not ask our hearts not to feel hurt, in fact He encourages me to accept that my heart stuggles and to know that He went before me in it and He remains with me in it.
This is a great topic. Thank you so much for writting about it. One small point. The thing about sin is that it hurts God but it also hurts other people. So God can forgive His part of the sin, but can He forgive on behalf of others? So perhaps God could not have just snapped His finger and forgiven sin because it would not have been just for thoes affected by the sin. Jesus came to be affected by the sin so God could forgive both sins against Himself as God and sins against Himself as man and also so He could be with the afflicted... there is a great article about this I will try and find it.
I find very beautiful the explanation that Jesus died to show us both the gravity of sin and the boundlessness of God's love. But the crucifixion was more than a mere demonstration, or so it seems, because Christ merited grace for us as well. How would grace fit into this? Maybe God connects the transmission of his grace to the love of Christ in order to show us that the spiritual goods we receive come from a sacrificial love and, like the crucifixion itself, do not come to us without the price of sin and the boundlessness of love at the same time?
Great point, Will!
Thomas thinks that each of Jesus’ actions is infinitely meritorious. There is enough merit in the Incarnation of Christ to save every man woman and child for all of time. The Crucifixion, as an act of the God-man, does merit grace for us just as every other act of Christ does.
In addition to meriting for us, the Crucifixion also removed an obstacle in us by giving us an incentive to love God in return.
The Crucifixion does merit for us! Infinitely so!
In this article I’m emphasizing the fact that the Crucifixion saves us by inciting us to love God. I did not mean to say that it was not meritorious.
And yes, I think your point about sacrificial love is a good one. Jesus is setting us the ultimate example on the Cross.
Happy Easter Will!
God bless you and your family.
He is risen!
Very well put, thank you.
So how would you next factor in the Eucharist with respect to your view on Soteriology?
Good question! Maybe I’ll write an article on that in the future.
Even though merited redemption for all men, the application of His merit is finite. The principle means of applying His merit comes through the Sacraments. That’s why blood and water flow forth from Jesus side, to signify the two most important sacraments of Eucharist and baptism.
Well explained. I struggle with the passion in general, the suffering the Lord went through. In my mind, I get it, but my heart still recoils at the whole thing. Mostly because He had to do much of it alone, I guess. Where was everybody? That makes me angry. I get that this was out of love, but, my heart still doesn't accept this much.
Jesus chose to suffer at the hands of his enemies and of his friends to show the universality of His redemptive love.
It is a difficult thing to wrestle with and probably more a matter of prayer than study! God bless!
Well, I pray constantly, 2 hrs a day or more on most days and He gives me answers. But my heart still struggles.
Pray for me, brother. We have a baby due in May!
Sure, I'm a sister, tho. I know my profile pic is confusing. That's my fav carmelite, st John of the Cross. I will add you to my prayer list. Any special issues?
I am so sorry!
I love Saint John of the Cross. Good choice.
We just want prayers for a healthy baby :)
Hello
I think it's a grace that your heart stuggles. In prayer I came to understand that Jesus' heart was terribly hurt during the passion. Jesus does not ask our hearts not to feel hurt, in fact He encourages me to accept that my heart stuggles and to know that He went before me in it and He remains with me in it.
I hope that makes a little sense.
Bless you
Hey Cameron,
This is a great topic. Thank you so much for writting about it. One small point. The thing about sin is that it hurts God but it also hurts other people. So God can forgive His part of the sin, but can He forgive on behalf of others? So perhaps God could not have just snapped His finger and forgiven sin because it would not have been just for thoes affected by the sin. Jesus came to be affected by the sin so God could forgive both sins against Himself as God and sins against Himself as man and also so He could be with the afflicted... there is a great article about this I will try and find it.
Blessings in Him
No prob!