“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.“
— 2 Corinthians 5:21 KJV
Reflection on Today's Verse
This verse knocks the wind out of you if you stop long enough to actually sit with it. God made Christ to be sin. Not just wear it. Not just carry it. He became it. The holy one—sinless, blameless, untouchable by corruption—became the thing God hates most. For us. For me. For you.
Why? So we could become the opposite. Righteous. Not just cleaned up. Not just better behaved. Made the righteousness of God. That’s scandalous grace. That’s trading garbage for glory.
Who does that?
It’s one thing to pardon someone. Another to elevate them. God didn’t just say “you’re forgiven.” He said, “Come take My place.”
If that doesn’t mess with your self-image, you’re probably still trying to earn it. Stop. There’s no ladder tall enough to climb into God’s favor. You don’t climb into this—you’re dragged in by blood-soaked mercy.
You think your past disqualifies you? Christ became your past. He bore it like skin. And then crushed it in death. So stop fishing in the graveyard for guilt. It’s gone.
And now? You walk around with His righteousness on you like a robe you didn’t pay for. Try to be good all you want. But never forget—you are righteous because He took your place. That’s grace. That’s the gospel. Don’t dilute it.
Personal Prayer
Father, I can’t wrap my mind around it. Jesus, who never sinned, became sin—for me. That’s weighty. That’s wild. That’s love. Let me never get numb to it.
Strip away every ounce of pride that still thinks I can earn Your favor. Help me live from the truth that I’m already made righteous in Him— not just improved, but completely remade. I don’t deserve it, but I receive it.
Thank You for trading places. Amen.