Atonement

THE MEANING OF ATONEMENT

"Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation'' Romans 5:11.

Atonement literally means "reconciliation". it speaks of the bringing together of two people whose fellowship has been broken because a wrong has been done by one towards the other. Man was created for fellowship with God, but fellowship was broken by sin.

RECONCILIATION MADE POSSIBLE

Jesus Christ made "atonement" for our sin, thus making possible a reconciliation between God and man.

"All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation" 2 Corinthians 5:18-20.

Since Adam's fall, man has been cut off from the life-giving presence of God and nothing he can do in his own strength can restore his fellowship with the Creator. God, however, has provided the means by which man can know Him personally through His Son, Jesus. Through accepting Christ's death on the Cross, man is reconciled to God and made one with Him in heart and spirit.

''Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behaviour. But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight . . . free from accusation" Colossians 1:21-22 .

A WAY INTO THE PRESENCE OF GOD OPENED

The death of the sinless Lamb of God (John 1:29; 1Peter 1:19) made available to man, if he chose to take it, God's forgiveness. At the time of His death, the veil in the Temple at Jerusalem was torn apart (Matthew 27:50-53), signifying that the way into God's presence was now open. So Christ's death accomplished something that none of the sacrifices of animals ever had . . . it made it possible for EVERY individual to experience God personally .

"Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water" Hebrews10:19-22.

THE PROVISION OF THE CROSS

Christ made available to us through His death on the Cross, not only the forgiveness of sins, but also victory over the power of sin in our lives. We can exchange all that we inherited as Adam's "children" for the beauty of Christ's life. One of Jesus' last cries was "It is finished". God's plan for man's salvation through the Cross was completed!

TAKEN BY CHRIST

Punishment for our sinful acts of rebellion and disobedience; our guilt (Isaiah 53:5-10; 2 Cor.5:21).
Sickness and pain (Isaiah 53:4-5).
Curse of man's law-breaking (Deuteronomy 28:15-68; Galatians 3:10,13).
Poverty (Deuteronomy 28:47-48; 2 Corinthians 8:9).
Old sinful nature (Romans 6:6; Ephesians 2:2-3).
Death (Romans 6:23; Hebrews 2:9).
1. Spiritual separation (Matthew 27:46; Ephesians 2:12).
2. Physical death (Matthew 27:50).
3. The "second death" (Revelation 20: 14-15) - banishment from God's presence to the place of the lost (hell) (Ephesians 4:8-10; 1 Peter 3:19).

OFFERED TO THE BELIEVER

Peace - pardon, forgiveness and righteousness (Ephesians 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:30).
Healing (Isaiah 53:5; 1 Peter 2:24).
Blessing (Galatians 3:13-14; Genesis 24:1; Ephesians 1:3).
Abundance (2 Corinthians 9:8).
New nature brought to life (Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 2:1; 4:22-24; 2 Coririthians 5:17).
Life (John 3:16,36).
1. Unity with Christ - being made alive (Ephesians 2: 5; John 14: 23; 17: 23) .
2. Physical resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:21,26,51-57).
3. Eternity in God's presence (1 Thessalonians 4:17; Revelation 21).

GOD'S PURPOSE IN THE ATONEMENT

The work of atonement that was accomplished on the Cross was the greatest act of love possible, for the Lord died for a world that was still without hope, ridden with rebellion, rejecting God.

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" Romans 5:8.

God's purpose for redeemed man is much more than just the experience of forgiveness and freedom from sin. The Lord desires:

To have eternal fellowship with His people (John 14:15-23; 1 Peter 3:18; Rev.3:20).
To have a holy people, transformed into the image of His Son (Romans 8:28-30; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Colossians 3:10; Titus 2:14; 1 Peter 1:16).
To bring men into the full purpose of their lives and for them to experience a completeness and wholeness in their body, soul and spirit (John 10:10; Romans 8:9-21; Colossians 2:10; 1 Thessalonians 5:23).

OUR STANDING RESTORED

We now have legal standing in the presence of God, and can enjoy the fellowship with Him for which we were created (see Hebrews 4:16; Romans 5:1; Ephesians 2:13).

. . . to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves" Ephesians 1:6.

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