Faith Like A Mustard Seed

Propitiation is an atoning sacrifice that satisfies the wrath of God on behalf of those for whom it is made.

What’s all this wrath stuff all about? I thought God was full of love?

Right! God loves us more than we love our own children, but propitiation is required by God’s character. God has sworn to punish every transgression. All sin is against Him. He is holy, which means that He is perfect, thus there must be a price paid for sins. Sin is lawlessness, transgression, moral stumbling, enslavement to lusts and passions, pollution, and rebellion. Sin makes us unable to love God, and be pleasing to Him (Rom 8:5-8). Many people are hoping that judgment will be offset by their efforts at law-keeping, or being better than the next guy, but they will be horrified to discover that condemnation is not offset by such things (Gal 3:10-13; James 2:10; Rom 3:19, 20). However, there is good news! God desires to forgive sins! Your personal relationship with God begins when you receive forgiveness in Christ. The basis of your relationship with God is the glorious gift of forgiveness. Recognize the depth, and seriousness of our sinfulness, and be willing to depart from your sin, giving yourself to Jesus Christ the Lord (Titus 2:14-3:6). The greatest problem that man has, is sin. And what is it that man needs most? Forgiveness.God’s Spirit convicts us that we need, so much, to be forgiven. Those who seek forgiveness realize that they need it, but do not deserve it. In order for mankind to be forgiven, there had to be a sacrifice. The Only Begotten Son of God paid that price for us, so that we could be forgiven, and have a relationship with a holy God. Forgiveness comes through faith in Christ and what He has done for us. God receives sinners because of the work of Jesus Christ, and not because of anything we could accomplish.

Man could not make an atonement (sacrifice satisfying the wrath of God) for sin that God would accept, or else He would not have sent His Son from His rightful place with Him, to suffer and die at the hands of men. But because of God’s love and grace, He did send His Son, because it was the only way; and Jesus Christ paid it all. Please don’t turn away from Him, and don’t offer to pay for something that is priceless.

Propitiation is required by a holy God.

Propitiation is initiated by God’s great love.

Propitiation is defined by substitution.

Propitiation was accomplished by the death of Christ.

Propitiation is received by faith.

You don’t have to take my word on it. We have it all in writing!

About the Author:

Dave Earley

http://www.init-2-winit.org