09/06/2026
~~Communication Column~~
A Theology Snack with Zach
Have you ever wondered βMan, I could really go for a little theological nugget before the service startsβ? Well, Iβve got just the thing for you. A theology snack, not too much and not too little, but just enough to get you ready for church. Pastor Jon has often discussed propitiation during his sermons, and Iβd like to introduce another important and related term within Christian theology: imputation.
You might be familiar with this concept already. Imputation means to attribute, credit, or account something to a person. For example, suppose that you owe $100 on an account, but someone else makes the payment on your behalf. Even though you personally did not make the payment, the $100 was still credited to your account. Another example would be that, in certain circumstances, employers can be held legally responsible for something done by an employee. Even though the employer did not personally committee the act, responsibility for that action can still be legally attributed to them. This is the basic idea of what imputation means, and it is an important piece in how salvation works.
Part of the beautiful process that is God saving sinners involves the imputation of guilt and righteousness. Christ, being our propitiation, takes on the guilt of our sin through His death on the cross. The guilt of every sin past, present, and future was imputed to Christ on the cross in our place. Reflect on what the apostle Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 5:21 βHe made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.β (LSB) Even though Christ never sinned personally, our sin was imputed to Him so that we might be reconciled to God and our sins forgiven. Yet, there is more. How do we become the righteousness of God? Christβs righteousness is imputed to believers. We are reconciled to God not only because we receive forgiveness, but also that we are credited with righteousness that is not our own (Romans 4; Philippians 3:8-9). Those in Christ have peace with God today because, when Father looks at those who have placed their faith in Christ, He sees the perfect righteousness of His Son. I pray this motivates you to worship God all the more.
Zach Dyer