Romans 3:24-26
“Whom God put forward as a propitiation by His blood”- ESV
Propitiation- oh-no! That is a big church word that pastors like to flex to sound smart. When we come across it in the Bible, it is easy to read over it and move on without exploring the deeper and richer meaning it has for us. In today’s modern, frenzied, and chaotic world, we have lost the patience to slow down and investigate God’s Word. Propitiation is not a word we use often in our modern language. As I explore its meaning, it will impact and challenge my view of God.
Propitiation is a sacrifice that turns away or appeases the wrath of God. This may make us uncomfortable, realizing the wrath of God is directed at the sinner. My sin causes the wrath of God to be focused directly on me. In the modern world, we like to talk about God as this loving, benevolent caretaker who wants us to experience prosperity and goodness. That is only a partial view of God. This leaves out God’s holy righteousness and perfect justice, which demands that sin must be punished. My rebellion (my sin) causes God’s wrath to be directed at me, and I am unable to appease his wrath. This realization should shake each person to the core. I cannot fix my sin problem on my own.
Notice in Vs. 23- “All have sinned and fall short”- This shows the need for propitiation. God knows this and provides the perfect sacrifice, His Son Jesus Christ. In verse 24- God gives Jesus as a gift of grace. Grace is simply an unmerited favor. Favor none of us deserves, but God provides anyway. Vs. 25- “God puts forward” – The most precious thing God has is His Son, God gives, and Jesus willingly becomes the propitiation, the One who turned aside God’s wrath, so I can have a restored relationship with God.
In the Gospel of John, belief in Jesus is the mechanism that makes salvation a reality in my life. I can know of Jesus but need to believe that He lived a perfect life and died upon the cross as the propitiation for my sins and rose to life again on the third day. This is the rich and vibrant impact of Jesus turning aside God’s wrath and allowing us to become children of God. What a glorious blessing, going from being a wretched outcast to an heir of the King. Jesus was put “In my place” to appease God. Today, praise God and be grateful for the grace of salvation. Pursue being Christlike in all our actions today. Show those around you in your actions and words that Jesus is your King and Savior.
“Whom God put forward as a propitiation by His blood”- ESV
Propitiation- oh-no! That is a big church word that pastors like to flex to sound smart. When we come across it in the Bible, it is easy to read over it and move on without exploring the deeper and richer meaning it has for us. In today’s modern, frenzied, and chaotic world, we have lost the patience to slow down and investigate God’s Word. Propitiation is not a word we use often in our modern language. As I explore its meaning, it will impact and challenge my view of God.
Propitiation is a sacrifice that turns away or appeases the wrath of God. This may make us uncomfortable, realizing the wrath of God is directed at the sinner. My sin causes the wrath of God to be focused directly on me. In the modern world, we like to talk about God as this loving, benevolent caretaker who wants us to experience prosperity and goodness. That is only a partial view of God. This leaves out God’s holy righteousness and perfect justice, which demands that sin must be punished. My rebellion (my sin) causes God’s wrath to be directed at me, and I am unable to appease his wrath. This realization should shake each person to the core. I cannot fix my sin problem on my own.
Notice in Vs. 23- “All have sinned and fall short”- This shows the need for propitiation. God knows this and provides the perfect sacrifice, His Son Jesus Christ. In verse 24- God gives Jesus as a gift of grace. Grace is simply an unmerited favor. Favor none of us deserves, but God provides anyway. Vs. 25- “God puts forward” – The most precious thing God has is His Son, God gives, and Jesus willingly becomes the propitiation, the One who turned aside God’s wrath, so I can have a restored relationship with God.
In the Gospel of John, belief in Jesus is the mechanism that makes salvation a reality in my life. I can know of Jesus but need to believe that He lived a perfect life and died upon the cross as the propitiation for my sins and rose to life again on the third day. This is the rich and vibrant impact of Jesus turning aside God’s wrath and allowing us to become children of God. What a glorious blessing, going from being a wretched outcast to an heir of the King. Jesus was put “In my place” to appease God. Today, praise God and be grateful for the grace of salvation. Pursue being Christlike in all our actions today. Show those around you in your actions and words that Jesus is your King and Savior.
Posted in Devotional