The Propitiation for Our Sins

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The Propitiation for Our Sins

When we think  of our sinful natures and groan  just wishing  we had not done  “this”  or  “that”,  the apostle John reminds us in 1 John 2:1-2,

My little children,  I am writing these things  to you  that you may not sin.     And if anyone sins,  we have an Advocate  with the Father,  Jesus Christ  the righteous;  and He Himself  is the propitiation for our sins;  and not for ours only,  but also for those  of the whole world.

John had been telling his fellow Christians  to be careful  to live in the truths of God,  but he said it all  with the full realization  that we all will  still have many times  when we fall into sin.     At those times,  we have an Advocate — one who will intercede for us — asking for our full pardon.

Jesus is always readily and willingly being  our Advocate,  citing His perfect life,  suffering,  death,  and resurrection  as the full payment  for our sin.     Jesus wants us  to take comfort  in the fact  that everything has already been  taken care of  in our behalf.     We don’t have to worry.

Jesus is called  “the propitiation for our sins“ because His gracious love for us  so willingly forgives all our sins.     We don’t have to repeatedly beg  for forgiveness  or  doubt Jesus’  love for us,  because His being  “the propitiation for our sins“ means  that He is very much  in favor  of forgiving  all of our sins  — and has already been the perfect and holy sacrifice  to pay  for all our sins.     Jesus fully realizes  that we know our guilt,  and He wants us  to look to His perfect work  for us  on the cross.

His perfect sacrifice on that cross  has the power  to forgive everyone  for all time.     Everyone is invited  to accept the forgiveness Jesus offers  to all.     No matter who we are,  this gift of forgiveness  is being offered  to us.

Let us not hang onto our sins,  thinking they cannot be forgiven.     That would be discounting all  of God’s power  in giving us a Savior from sin  just as He promised  since the beginning of time.     So, who are we to say  all those fulfilled promises  over thousands of years mean nothing?     They all came true  in Jesus Christ.     That is  a power  to be believed.

And so,  we take comfort in  “the propitiation for our sins”  and say,  “Hallelujah!    Lord Jesus,  thank You  for wanting  so much  to make  the full payment  for all  of my sins.”

Love,
Margaret

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A Christian devotional to glorify the LORD of lords and God of gods

 

Pray for our country.

 

This is the day which the LORD has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24

 

The word of the LORD is tried;
He is a shield  to all  who take refuge  in Him.
Psalm 18:30

 

Sing for joy in the LORD,  O you righteous ones;
Praise is becoming  to the upright.
Psalm 33:1

 

How blessed are those  who dwell in Thy house!
They are ever praising Thee.
Psalm 84:4

 

Just as a father has compassion  on his children,
So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
Psalm 103:13

 

Oh give thanks to the LORD,  for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Psalm 107:1

 

Glory in His holy name;
Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad.
Psalm 105:3

 

Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that
I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12

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