THE VICARIOUS ATONEMENT " . . . by whom we have now received the atonement." -- Tomorrow:
"For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be save from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement." (Romans 5:6-11)
Devotion 27 of 28
It is not possible to be reconciled to God legally or experientially apart from Jesus Christ. Let it be clear that this is the Christ presented in the Gospel, which is "the record God has given of His Son" (1 John 5:10). Much of what is presented as Gospel today is really "not a Gospel." The presentation of the Lord Jesus as a grand problem solver and supplier of mere temporary provisions is a gross distortion of the Christ of the Gospel.
Those who have to do with Jesus will have to deal with sin, for He is a Savior from sin. They will have to face the matter of being an enemy of God, for Christ reconciles men to God. Consideration will have to be given to the sure punishment of sin, for Jesus was "smitten of God and afflicted" because of the sins of men. Where men do not come to grips with these issues, they cannot be reconciled to God, for that is what reconciliation is all about.
Now, our text affirms that we "receive" the reconciliation, or atonement, through Christ Jesus. By that, it means He alone wrought the reconciliation, and He alone can bring us into it. That is involved in our Lord's word to His disciples. "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" (John 14:6). "By me" is more than a mere legal provision. It speaks more of Jesus escorting us to God, rather than us coming using Him much like a ticket into the Divine presence. We are told Jesus "once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might BRING us to God" (1 Pet 3:18).
In this text "through Whom" means the Lord Jesus Himself has brought the reconciliation to us.
WE HAVE NOW RECEIVED THE RECONCILIATION
While our salvation has not yet been fully realized, we have received much. In this case, we have "NOW received the reconciliation." This is why we have access to God. It is why we have access into the grace wherein we stand. It is why we rejoice in hope of the glory of God, and can perceive the benefits of tribulation. This is why we "joy in God." It is because we have been reconciled!
But we must not leave the matter there, lying like a cold and lifeless stone in our hearts. We must take this truth up and reason upon it. Note the affirmation. "We have NOW received the atonement." What Christ has accomplished NOW belongs to us. Its benefits have been passed to us through our faith. We are presently enjoying Divine acceptance and favor! We have "received the atonement."
However, one may reason, "It does not seem to me that I have received the atonement." How can a timorous soul be assured of this? Consider the fruits that have been declared. They will tell you the truth of the matter. Receive their testimony, and rejoice!
Do you have "peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ?" Are you desirous to come into His presence, and feel at liberty to make your requests known to Him? Do you know you have access to this grace, and feel a freedom to seek it? Have you been liberated from the goads of a condemning conscience? If this describes you, then you have "received the atonement," for that is the fruit of being justified from sin and reconciled to God. Are you set to rejoicing at the thought of seeing the Lord, and being forever with Him? Do you "rejoice in hope of the glory of God," finding great delight in the thought of being freed from mortality and the propensity to sin? Do you, in fact, prefer to be "absent from the body and present with the Lord?" If this describes you, then you have "received the atonement," for that is the fruit of being justified from sin and reconciled to God.
Are you able to see good that has come from your tribulations? Can you rejoice in seeing how you have become more stable, and able to endure through them? Has your hope grown as you have perceived more of the love of God? If this describes you, then you have "received the atonement," for that is the fruit of being justified from sin and reconciled to God.
And, does the thought of God delight your heart? Do you rejoice that He is your Father, and has done good to you? Does the consideration of what He has brought to you in Christ bring joy and refreshment to your heart? If this describes you, then you have "received the atonement," for that is the fruit of being justified from sin and reconciled to God.
Receiving the atonement always yields a crop of good things for the soul. And, if you are doubtful that you have received it, go to the banquet of salvation and receive it afresh. Drink in the good things of God as though it was for the first time. There are things involved in your justification that you have not yet seen, and they will rejoice your heart.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You for the effectiveness of reconciliation.