The Golden Chain - Robert J. Wieland
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
(Hebrews 12:4; Philippians 2:8, KJV). This is true<br />
righteousness!<br />
Paul's expression "separate from sinners" tells<br />
the Hebrews that Christ is a High Priest different<br />
from the sinful human priests ministering in the<br />
Jerusalem temple. It cannot mean He did not come<br />
near us, or take our nature, because we read, "<strong>The</strong>n<br />
all the tax-collectors and the sinners drew near to<br />
Him to hear Him" (Luke 15:1). "To him that<br />
knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is<br />
sin" (James 4:17). Christ did not sin; thus He was<br />
"separate from sinners" who have sinned—<br />
different from all of us. Paul said He was "made to<br />
be sin for us."<br />
Fulton Sheen however maintains that "Mary<br />
was desolidarized and separated from ... sin-laden<br />
humanity." In defending the Immaculate<br />
Conception he says further, "<strong>The</strong>re ought to be an<br />
infinite separation between God and sin." "How<br />
could [Christ] be sinless if He was born of sinladen<br />
humanity? ... If He came to this earth through<br />
the wheatfield of moral weakness, He certainly<br />
36