✝️ Text: Eph. 2: 4-6
_“But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus"_
When speaking of atonement, it is important to understand that it is first and foremost, an act of God’s infinite love for us.
He knew that there was no other way for man to restore the deep and intimate fellowship that was lost in Eden. Atonement addresses and answers the ultimate and universal problem of man, which is sin.
Man’s sin resulted in the need for a Savior.
From the book of Genesis, we read _“the first gospel”_ – a promise looking forward to the One who would come to atone: _*“And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel”*_ (Genesis 3:15).
In the Old Testament, the Law and the prophets begin to set forth the powerful doctrine of the atonement, which finds its utmost fulfillment in the sacrificial death of Christ.
Looking through the eyes and understanding of the world, the true meaning of atonement becomes somewhat diluted.
One of the most basic definitions of this word can be found in the Cambridge Dictionary, which states simply that atonement is, _“something that you do to show that you are sorry for something you did.”_
According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, atonement is, _“the process by which a person removes obstacles to his reconciliation with God.”_
Finally, Dictionary.com puts it this way concerning atonement: _“it is the satisfaction or reparation for a wrong or injury.”_
Each of these definitions will suffice as we understand it from a purely non-religious point of view, however, they fall short of revealing to us the true nature of the word as revealed to us in Scripture.
As spoken at the beginning of this devotional, the atonement is at its core, a profound demonstration of God’s love. We read: _*“But God commends his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us”*_ (Romans 5:8).
Along with this truth, the atonement also speaks of sacrifice.
This sacrifice, i.e., the atoning death of Christ, is the central theme of the Bible. Book after book, through the prophets and others, they spoke and wrote of it in some way.
The words atone or atonement appear over one-hundred times in Scripture.
It has a rich meaning; at its root it means _“to cover.”_ There are many other words associated with it, among them are: _cleanse, forgive, be merciful, and reconcile._
It has been stated that the atonement is the axis on which all other doctrines revolve.
This is because without what Christ did on the cross, there would be no need for any other doctrine.
What is the most important aspect of this great salvation which we have?
👉🏾Is it the fact that we are going to heaven?
👉🏾Or that we are now the recipients of a peace that passes all understanding? 👉🏾Or even that that we can now enjoy intimate fellowship with the God of the universe?
While all these things are blessings above measure, the fact that our sins are forgiven stands above them all!
Had our sins not been forgiven, none of those things would be possible.
Do you recall Jesus’ words to the seventy as they returned from evangelizing? _*“The seventy-two returned with joy and said, ‘Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.’ He replied, ‘I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.’”*_ (Luke 10:17-20).
Greater than the empowerment which they had experienced and the wondrous miracles they no doubt had witnessed, Jesus reminded them of the greater miracle that they should be thankful for - their salvation.
Though Christ had not yet died on the cross, it is our faith in what that atoning act accomplished which saves us, and Christ said to rejoice in that.
In other words, the fact that we are forgiven and on our way to heaven should fill us with a gratefulness that surpasses all the miracles that we will ever see. Shalom
🛐 *Prayer Points*
🎯Father, thank you for the redemption of my life, thank you for raising me up with Christ and seating me with Him in heavenly places.
🎯Father having restored me back to intimate and deep fellowship with you, please help me to ever remain in fellowship with you in Jesus name.
🎯Father the atonement of my sin is a profound demonstration of your love for me, please help me to ever remain in your love in Jesus name.
🎯Father having been cleansed from my sins through atonement, please help never to return to them again in Jesus name.
🎯Father through the forgiveness of my sin, you have placed me on the path leading to heaven. May I never wander away from this path in Jesus name.