Propitiation

When I published my first book: "Great Words of the Faith", one of the words with which I dealt was "propitiation". I also looked at the word "expiation" which has a similar, but not identical, meaning. I state: "Expiation refers to that which is judicial; propitiation refers to that which is relational.  Expiation removes a barrier; propitiation removes the barrier, and restores a relationship."

Today, Sept. 20th, is the Jewish "Yom Kippur" - "Day of Atonement". The Complete Jewish Bible translates these words from the First Letter of John as "Also, He [the Lord Jesus] is the kapparah [the atonement] for our sins — and not only for ours, but also for those of the whole world." (2:2). 

Two other places where the word is found are: Romans 3:25 - “Whom [Jesus] God displayed publicly [before the eyes of the world] as a [life-giving] sacrifice of atonement and reconciliation (propitiation) by His blood [to be received] through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness [which demands punishment for sin], because in His forbearance [His deliberate restraint] He passed over the sins previously committed [before Jesus’ crucifixion].” (Amp), and I John 4:10 - "In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation [that is, the atoning sacrifice, and the satisfying offering] for our sins [fulfilling God’s requirement for justice against sin and placating His wrath]." (Amp).

In any case, the action of the Lord Jesus in submitting His body to be a substitutionary sacrifice to pay the penalty for our sins and to endure God’s wrath against all the sins of the world, thereby enabling Him to be reconciled to us - to be made "at one" with Him, with Christ’s perfect righteousness credited to our account, is seen in these three verses to be a basic theme of this great truth of Christ’s propitiatory work on the cross. And surely, as John says: “In this is love,” that God would so love us that He would offer up His Son, and the Christ would so love us that He would die for us. Surely, this is love! 

The Gift of Labour.

In the Biblical book of Genesis is a verse that is often overlooked. It reads: "Yahweh Elohim took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it."(2:15).

When God first created man, He gave him work to do. Although “Yahweh Elohim planted a garden” for man (Genesis 2:8), it was up to man to take care of it if he would continue to eat its fruits. Thus means that having to labour for one’s living is not some kind of divine punishment for man’s sin, as some people would interpret it, but rather a divine benefit for man’s good.

As mentioned previously (Aug. 16th), I am currently going through the Book of the Revelation of the Lord Jesus, the Christ, in my personal devotions. The book speaks of the new earth, when sin and suffering will be gone forever, and shows that there will be work to do: “No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in the city, and His servants shall serve Him.” (Revelation 22:3; TLB; emphasis added).faithfulness

 

We don’t know yet what our assignments will be on that new earth, but they may somehow be commensurate with our  in serving the Lord here. “... behold, I come shortly. And My reward is with Me:” says the Lord Jesus, “to give to every man according as his work shall be.” (Revelation 22:12; RGT).

 

It is, therefore, a God-given privilege to be able to do useful work, whether that work consists of preaching God’s Word or improving God’s world. “Whatever your hand finds to do, ” [whether being paid for it or not], “do it with your might; for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going.” (Ecclesiastes 9:10). As Jesus said, “night comes, when no one can work.” (John 9:4).

 

No matter what the job that has been provided for us to do may be, it is important to remember and obey the admonition: “Whatever your task, work heartily, as serving the Lord and not men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward; you are serving the Lord Christ.” (Colossians 3:23-24) and “that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” (I Corinthians 15:58).