GOD IS LOVE Devotion 11 of 34 The Spirit will now affirm that the greatest revelation of the love of God is found in matters related to the reconciliation of men to Himself. He will not immerse us in the quagmire of human reasoning, or parade before us sundry examples of members of our race who have loved God. He will take us to the revelation of God's love through the atoning death of His Son. This, of course, is the Gospel once again. That Gospel is ever "the power of God unto salvation" (Rom 1:16), and is never replaced with another emphasis. That is, it is "the power of God unto salvation" from beginning to end. There is no aspect of salvation, whether it is initial entrance into Christ, being changed from glory unto glory, or at last putting on immortality, that is not fueled by, and made effectual through, the Gospel of Christ. Tomorrow:
"He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love . . . God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him." (1 John 4:8,16)
This is the second time "propitiation" is mentioned in the book of First John (2:2; 4:10). It is also used in Romans 3:25, where God is said to have set Jesus forth publicly as a Propitiation (NASB). Jesus was the votive gift of God for the salvation of men. The word "votive" emphasizes the avowal, or commitment, of God to the salvation of men. In the sending of Christ to be the propitiation for sin, God was confirming His personal commitment to our salvation. He was, as it was, making a statement that would stand the tests of time. Reaching down through the generations, the death of Christ remains the most powerful incentive to both faith and godliness. Once seen in truth, it breaks down all resistance against God. The wayward will of man is broken at the cross of Christ. Rebellion is crushed when men gazed with intent and interest upon the crucified Savior. Or, as the Psalmist prophetically said it, "Thy people shall be willing in the day of Thy power" (Psa 110:3). Jesus said it this way, "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto Me.' This he said, signifying what death He should die" (John 12:32-33).
As is seen in this Divine expression of love, love is costly, requiring an investment by the One giving it. How clearly this is seen in God's love toward us! It cost Him His "only begotten Son," and it cost the Son His own life. Two things must be seen in the love of God. We must perceive what it cost Him. We must also see what it has brought to us. If our vision of either of these is deficient, our own love will also fall short of what it can be.
By saying, "Herein is love," the Spirit is saying we look in vain to find real love anywhere else. All valid love springs from God's love, finding its origin in the perception and reception of Divine love. What is more, if we are ever to love God acceptably, and those about us as Jesus taught us, it is imperative that we comprehend a love that compels us, moves us, and draws us into a realm where love can be given voluntarily, freely, and without pretension. That love can only be the love of God, whom Himself IS love.
The reason for Christ's entrance into the world is herein specified: "to be the propitiation for our sins." In so doing, He turned the wrath of God from us, absorbing the shock of that wrath. This is stated in a number of ways in Scripture. He "tasted death for every man" (Heb 2:9). "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 Cor 5:21). "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree" (Gal 3:13).
"But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed" (Isa 53:5).
The word "propitiation" means "an expiation," or "atoning victim." The KJV, NKJV, ASV, NASB, DARBY, DOUAY-RHEIMS, NAU, and WEBSTER'S versions translate our text "propitiation." The NIV and NRSV translate it "atoning sacrifice." The RSV reads "expiation for our sins." Other versions read "offering for our sin" (BBE), "to expiate our sins" (NJB), and "reconciliation for our sins" (GENEVA). It ought to be apparent that this is a very large word, bringing with it much significance. As used in Romans 3:25, the word means "the place of forgiveness.
This is precisely the same word used in Hebrews 9:5 where it is translated "mercy seat," having reference to the lid that covered the ark of the covenant. "And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the MERCY-SEAT, of which we cannot now speak particularly." On the day of atonement, blood was sprinkled on the "mercy seat" to atone for the sins of the people (Lev 16:14). In translating this verse (Heb 9:5), some versions use the word "propitiatory" (DOUAY-RHEIMS), "the place of expiation" (NAB), "the atonement cover" (NIB), and "the place of atonement" (NLT).
The meaning of our text is that Jesus is the ordained "mercy seat" upon which atonement was made for the sins of humanity. As prefigured in the "day of atonement" under the Law, "atonement" involved forgiveness, making amends, cleansing, and the removal of sins (Lev 16:6-34). It was an act that brought out the mercy of God and delivered from His wrath.
The cross of Christ is the precise point where the fountains of mercy were opened for us, and the fierceness of wrath was unleashed against Christ. God did what He had to toward sin, that He might do what He wanted toward sinners! That, and more, is involved in making Jesus a "propitiation for our sins." The love of God was so strong that He vented His wrath upon the Son, that He might lavish His love upon us.
With remarkable consistency, the death of Christ is related to the sin of the world. He did not die because we were sick, but because we had sinned. The association of Christ with illness is consistently related to His suffering and His earthly ministry, not His death (Isa 53:4; Matt 8:16-17). His death, however, went deeper, touching the real issue that had separated men from God sin. Sickness does not alienate men from God. It is sin that does that, and God sent His Son into the world to address that situation.
It is our business to ponder God sending His Son into the world, and to seek to grasp its significance more fully. It is not enough to develop some trite sayings about the mission of Jesus, and then forget it. When we behold the love of God in sending Jesus to be the propitiation for our sins, loving the brethren will make sense. Putting to death the deeds of the body will be seen as a necessity. Loving God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength will no longer be viewed as an impossible task. In the energy of Divine love, we will find our love for Him maturing and producing fruit within us. Serving God will be a delight, and His commandments will not be grievous.
PRAYER POINT: Father, I thank You in the name of Jesus for providing an effective covering for my sin, and doing so justly, and in perfect keeping with Your holiness.