~ The Concept of the Atonement of
Christ for Your Sin ~
The
Biblical concept of “atonement” is often poorly understood within Christian
circles—it is a complex term which I suppose none of us will fully understand
in this life. Like many words it has
multiple meanings and nuances. This
first post of this series seeks to demystify the term.
Atonement
is found over 75 times in the Old Testament.
We find it in the book of Leviticus at least 16 times. The word is closely associated with other
six-dollar terms such as propitiation, expiation, and reparation. Today it is easier for us to think in terms
of ransom, appeasement, cancellation of debt, satisfaction, cleansing, pardoning,
and reconciliation. The easy way that I
remember the concept—yet an accurate one—is that “atonement” means
“at-one-ment.” Because of atonement man
can be at one with his Creator. God and
man can have unity and be in harmony.
What a concept!
Perhaps
the most important concept of atonement—which is not readily apparent—from the
previous paragraph is that atonement includes the concept of “covering.” In fact, prior to the Cross of Calvary sins
were covered in order to restore relationship with God. We first find this from the beginning when
Adam used fig leaves to cover his nakedness (Genesis 3:7). But atonement can never be based on the
sinners effort—it must be God’s work!
Man’s effort was a plant-based covering, but God provided atonement for
their sins when He made clothing from the skins of animals—blood was shed for
the remission of their sins.
Throughout
the Old Testament we find a system of blood sacrifices for the atonement of
sin. In the New Testament Jesus Christ,
God’s Son and the Messiah, shed His blood for our sins.
Here
is one of my favorite Old Testament atonement verses: “I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God;
for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with
the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, and as
a bride adorns herself with her jewels” (Isaiah 61:10).
With this background read the following passage carefully. “For the law, having a shadow of the good
things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same
sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach
perfect. For then would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshipers, once purified, would have
had no more consciousness of sins. But
in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls
and goats could take away sins. Therefore, when He [Christ—The Messiah]
came into the world, He said: ‘Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but a
body You have prepared for Me. In burnt
offerings and sacrifices for sin You had no pleasure. Then I said, “Behold, I have come—in the
volume of the book it is written of Me—to do Your will, O God”.’ Previously
saying, ‘Sacrifice and offering, burnt offerings, and offerings for sin You did
not desire, nor had pleasure in them’ (which are offered according to the law),
then He said, ‘Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God.’ He takes away the first that He may establish
the second. By
that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus
Christ once for all” (Hebrews 10:1-10, compare Psalm
40:6-8).
The
passage continues, “And every priest stands ministering
daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away
sins. But this
Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right
hand of God, from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are
being sanctified” (Hebrews 10:11-14).
Since
the Cross our sins are not covered instead they are totally forgiven and
removed forever.
Are you at peace with God—at one with
God? “In Him we have redemption through His blood,
the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace which He made to
abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, having made known to us the
mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in
Himself, that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather
together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and
which are on earth—in Him” (Ephesians 1:7-10).
the bottom line: Are you still trying to make atonement by
doing things? It will never satisfy
God. God has provided real atonement
through His Son Jesus Christ. You cannot
do it—God has done it! The only means of
atonement that satisfies God involves blood being shed! Christ provides atonement for you and for me
at the Cross of Calvary. “Without the
shedding of blood, there is no remission of sin” (Hebrews 9:22b). So rip off your fig leaves and ask God for
the clothing of Christ’s righteousness so that you can be “at one with God.”
note ~ This
series about atonement includes:
1. The
Concept of the Atonement of Christ for Your Sin
2. The Basics
of the Atonement of Christ for Your Sin
3. The Facts of the Atonement of Christ for Your
Sin
4. The Results of the Atonement of Christ for
Your Sin
5. 7 Benefits of Christ’s Atonement for Your Sin
6. The Atonement of Christ Foreshadowed
the key question:
“Who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15). This is the most important
question you will ever answer. If you do not answer it, or answer it incorrectly,
you have made the biggest mistake anyone can make!
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