The Most Important Word in the Bible.

I believe, along with many theologians much smarter than I, that the most important word in the Bible is the word "Propitiation". This word is the basis for our understanding of the Gospel and the meaning of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. It can be found in the writing of Paul in the verses that solidify what the Gospel is to Christians, Romans 3:23-26 which reads: "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus." ESV.

Sin in our life.

If we look at these verses Paul establishes for us that we are all sinners. This is true and as Christians, we should know sin is in our essence. We are deeply rooted sinners as the sins of Adam in the garden have been handed down through the generations. This is known as the fall of man where sin entered creation. In doing so we have been separated from God. Isaiah wrote in 59:2 ESV "but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear." So, we are unable to commune with God. Paul also wrote in Ephesians 2:1 ESV "we are dead in our sins." You see we are alive but unable to take part in a relationship with God because we are separated from Him.

The Free Gift.

In Romans, Paul goes on to tell us of the free gift of the grace of Christ we receive when we place our faith in Him and ask Him to take over our lives as our Savior. When this happens, we are justified meaning we are made right before God. When we repent our sins, we are forgiven and when justified we can be restored to God. This is made clear so we have an understanding that we can do nothing to save ourselves our redemption comes through the blood of Jesus Christ alone.

The Propitiation.

Paul tells us that God put forth Christ as a propitiation. A propitiation is an act appeasing God’s wrath against sin. The crucifixion of Christ was this act. The sacrifice of Christ put sin away once and for all for all those who choose to have faith and follow Him salvation. After we are justified, we begin our sanctification as we grow as Christians living our life for God. We are freed from our previous sins and begin to consecrate ourselves as we are then set apart for God's glorification. Will we sin again? Yes, and God knows this, but this is why it is so important for Christians to consistently repent their sins and strive to be more like Christ. When I awake in the morning before I even move to get out of bed, I ask God to forgive me for the sins I will commit today and ask Him to strengthen me so that I may resist the temptation of the enemy. So, we are cleansed of our sins through the blood of Jesus Christ who willingly came down to earth to become human flesh. This God/Man Jesus led a perfect sinless life that we could never live and by his death and resurrection set us free from sin and death.

The Righteousness of God.

Paul tells us this sacrifice of the Son of God happened so that God's righteousness was revealed because in the past God had "passed over" sin. What sin was Paul writing of that God had passed over? You see God is Holy and man is unholy. God's righteousness requires justice for sin. As such, there is a conundrum that exists in scripture. In Proverbs 17:15 ESV the writer tells us "He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous are both alike an abomination to the Lord." and yet God himself tells us in Exodus 34:6-7 ESV while God was walking past Moses “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children's children, to the third and the fourth generation.” So, how can God justify the wicked and not be an abomination to himself? It is through the sacrifice of his only son Christ that which forgave all sins past and present. These previous sins can be found in Genesis in the sins of Abraham who lied about his wife twice, and who doubted God. They are found in 2 Samuel in the sins of David who committed adultery with Bathsheba and had Uriah her husband murdered so that he could marry her. These sins and others were paid for through the blood of Christ on the cross, as were ours. This sacrifice of Jesus not only maintained that God was just, but it also allowed God to be the justifier. The Holy Trinity knew that the wrath of God had to be satisfied for all sin but that only God could endure that wrath. God sacrificed himself for us. Ultimately, we are saved from God, by God, for God.

Where are you with God?

Do you know Jesus Christ? Have you been touched, changed by His goodness and love? If you have not, can you afford not to seek him out? This world and society we live in is crumbling around us can you afford not to know Him? In a society lacking all morals can you afford not to know Him? Seek him, Jesus is knocking on your door, and in scripture, He said "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me." Revelation 3:20 ESV. Fall to your knees and profess your faith in Him. Know He is the son of God who sacrificed Himself for your sin. Know that He was crucified and rose again on the third day. Know that He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father and that He is the only mediator between God and us. Ask Him to take over your life and above all repent your sins. Repent them daily. If you have made or make this decision reach out to In Messiah. I would love to help you in your new walk with Christ. We can find a church near you so that you can grow in the company of other Christians. God's Blessings!