If we fail to see Jesus as the star of the Bible we will never truly do justice to biblical interpretation. When you open your Bible to read it must be Jesus you’re looking for or else you’ll only produce religion out of your study.
Jesus dominates the whole of biblical revelation. Everything and all things centres on him.
His human pedigree, his redemptive programme, and His divine person which are revealed in the New Testament historically are revealed in the Old Testament prophetically.
Aaron in his priestly office promoted Christ. Heb.5, Moses in Deut. 18:18; David anticipated him is revealed in various scriptures like Psm.110:1
That which the Old Testament promises the New Testament presents. That which was needed is now supplied. He who was typified now appears. What is longing in the Old Testament is satisfaction in the new.
Jesus was predicted in the Old Testament, presented in the Gospels, proclaimed in Acts and possessed in the Epistles, and predominant in revelation.
Christ is the focus of all history. Even our dating system is marked BC (before Christ) and AD (after Christ death).
Divine revelation converges in Christ in the Old Testament, and emerges from Him in the New Testament. Both parts of the revelation meet in Him. The one part as preparation and the other is as realization.
In Christ God and man meet in the one who is the God-man (2Cor.5:18-19).
In the Old Testament the anticipation of redemption was in type and prophecy; in the Gospels we have the accomplishment of it by the death of Christ, in the Acts and Epistles, the application of it to the needs of man, and in Revelation, the achievement of it.
The law and the prophets all testified of Jesus. None spoke otherwise.
The Interrelation between the Old and New Testament
The Old Testament is preparatory, the New Testament is effective.
The first is embodied in the history and literature of a semitic race, and the second is embodied in the history and literature of the Christian Church.
Each is represented by a person. Moses – Jesus.
Each focuses on an idea – Law and Grace
One is characterized by prohibitions and the other by promises. Ex.20.1-17;Jer.31:31-34;Heb.8:6-13
The both has mountains. Mount Sinai and Mount Zion.
The New Testament is hidden in the Old Testament, the Old Testament is unveiled in the New Testament.
Christ (the living word) and the Written Word
“His name is called the Word of God” (Rev. 19:13)
They “pressed upon Him to hear the Word of God” (Luke 5:1).
The Prince of Peace (Isa. 9:6).
The Gospel of peace (Rom. 10:15).
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way (John 14:6).
“Teach me, O Lord, the way of thy statutes” (Ps. 119:33).
“Full of grace and truth” (Jn. 1:14).
“All thy commandments are truth” (Ps. 119:151).
“A bone of Him shall not be broken” (Jn. 19:36).
“The Scriptures cannot be broken” (Jn. 10:35).
“I am the Living Bread … If any man eat of this bread he shall live forever” (Jn. 6:51).
“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God” (Luke 4:4).
“With Thee is a fountain of life” (Ps. 36:9).
“Thy law … is a fountain of life” (Prov. 13:14).
“I am the light of the world” (Jn. 8:12).
“Thy word is a light unto my path” (Ps. 119:105).
“Thou art my lamp, O Lord” (2 Sam. 22:29).
“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet” (Ps. 119:105).
“I … will be unto her a wall of fire” (Zech. 2:5).
“Is not my word like as a fire” (Jer. 23:29)?
“To you who believe He is precious” (1 Pet. 2:7).
“Exceeding great and precious promises” (2 Pet.
“His mouth is most sweet” (Song of Songs 5:16).
“How sweet are thy words unto my taste” (Ps. 119:103).
“His name shall be called wonderful” (Isa. 9:6).
“Thy testimonies are wonderful” (Ps. 119:129).
“Christ, the power of God” (1 Cor. 1:24).
“The Gospel is the power of God” (Rom. 1:16).
“Him that is from the beginning” (1 Jn. 2:13).
“Thy word is true from the beginning” (Ps. 119:160).
“From everlasting to everlasting Thou art God” (Ps. 90:2).
“Thy testimonies are everlasting” (Ps. 119:144).
“The Lord shall endure forever” (Ps. 9:7).
“The word of the Lord endureth forever” (1 Pet. 1:25).
“Christ abideth forever” (Jn. 12:34).
“The word of God abideth forever” (1 Pet. 1:23).
Christ, “a stumbling Stone” (Rom. 9:33).
“They stumble at thy word” (1 Pet. 2:8).
“Abide in me and I in you” (Jn. 15:4).
“If my words abide in you” (Jn. 15:7).
“Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith” (Eph. 3:17).
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly” (Col. 3:16).
“Out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword” (Rev. 1:16).
“For the word of God is … sharper than any two-edged sword” (Heb. 4:12).
“Sanctified in Christ Jesus” (1 Cor. 1:2).
“Sanctified through the truth” (Jn. 17:19).
“The Son therefore shall make you free” (Jn. 8:36).
“The truth shall make you free” (Jn. 8:32).
Similarities Between Christ and the Bible
“Born of God” (1 Jn. 5:18).
“Born … by the word” (1 Pet. 1:23).
“Begotten by Jesus Christ” (1 Pet. 1:3).
“Begotten through the gospel” (1 Cor. 4:15).
“The Son quickeneth whom He will” (Jn. 5:21).
“Thy word hath quickened me” (Ps. 119:50).
Christ “healed them” (Matt. 4:24).
“He sent His word and healed them” (Ps. 107:20).
Thus we see very clearly that the Living Word (Jesus) and the Written Word cannot be separated.
Paul, the beloved apostle of Grace to us used the book of Galatians to settle a believe system that was plaguing the Galatian Church then but since we today have not taken heed to the Lord through Paul we are still suffering from the same ignorance.
We all believe without reservations that salvation is by grace but turn around to teach that to keep and maintain salvation and to mature and be truly spiritual we must go back under the law. The early Church had this same problem: Acts 15:1-2,5
1 And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.
2 When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.
5 But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.
The contention was that the Gentiles though were saved without the law, now that they are saved must go back to the law. The law that could not save them how will it keep them saved? Beloved, we are saved by Grace and kept by same Grace.
See how the issue was settled: vs 10-11
10 Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.
The conclusion was that we should leave the law alone and stay with grace all through our Christian life. See verse 10 and 11 again in other Bible versions.
Acts 15:10-11 The Message (MSG)
10-11 “So why are you now trying to out-god God, loading these new believers down with rules that crushed our ancestors and crushed us, too? Don’t we believe that we are saved because the Master Jesus amazingly and out of sheer generosity moved to save us just as he did those from beyond our nation? So what are we arguing about?”
Acts 15:10-11 Living Bible (TLB)
10 And now are you going to correct God by burdening the Gentiles with a yoke that neither we nor our fathers were able to bear? 11 Don’t you believe that all are saved the same way, by the free gift of the Lord Jesus?”
The law could not save them so how will it now keep them saved? If we didn’t need the law at salvation we also don’t need it after salvation. What saved us is the only thing that can keep us saved. We began by Grace we continue in Grace, by Grace and through Grace.
The Galatian Church began their Christian walk by Grace and later were bewitched by some religious men to go back to the law. They actually fell from Grace (Gal.5:4). They substituted the law of the spirit of life in Christ with the law of sin and death (Rom.8:2).
Apostle Paul said: Galatians 3:1-5 (KJV)
1 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?
2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?
4 Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain.
5 He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
According to the Holy Spirit, it is foolishness to be saved and Grace and want to be spiritual by going back to the law. Oh! How many foolish friends we have today. We fall from Grace when we want to use the law to justify or mature ourselves no matter how sincere we may be (Gal.5:4).
It is bewitchment to teach people who are saved by Grace to go back to the works of the law. Let’s desist from witchcraft. We weren’t saved by works, we didn’t receive the Holy Spirit or work or receive miracles by the works of the law. It’s Grace from start to finish.
If its true that we are saved by Grace but perfected, matured and spiritual by the works of the law then the following is also true:
Then Jesus lied that it is finished (Jn.19:30). He never meant what he said.
Then salvation is not perfect, so we have to complete it by our efforts.
That means God failed to completely save us. He actually lied that he did.
God has to apologize to the Old Testament prophets. The prophets of old saw by revelation the Grace that will be revealed today and they wished they would join us to enjoy it (Jer.31:27-34; 1Pet.1:10-12; Lk.10:24). They knew what wr were going to have was far different so for God to now take us back to the law today, he has to go and apologize for lying to them.
Grace is not sufficient. If we say we must bring in the law for any reason we are actually saying Grace is not enough (2Cor.12:9).
The Bible is false. The Holy Bible declares over and over that we are fully and perfectly saved (Col.2:10; Gal.3:1-5). If we believe any other thing we are against the integrity of scriptures.
We are not really saved. We must go and work for it by strictly keeping the law. It is either we are fully saved or not saved at all, no middle ground.
We should have more faith in our works than God.
Salvation is not really free, there is a hidden cost
.
Then Salvation by Grace is a bite used to lure people into a life if bondage in works and law
The New Testament is not really new just refurbished.
If we insist that even though salvation is freely given by Grace we must work hard to grow in it, then all the above absurdities are completely true.
The work of saving us was well planned and absolutely executed to the last. It was not a half-baked cake, it was fully and completely baked. Man’s effort is not needed at any point. All we are called to do is believe. That’s why we are called believers.
We remain spiritual the same way we got spiritual (saved). God is only pleased by our faith in his son not in our bankrupt efforts (Jn.6:28-29). It is not difficult to please God by works, it is impossible. It’s by faith only that God is pleased – Heb.11:6. Spirituality like salvation is a product of faith not works lest any man should boast (Eph.2:9).
God is holy and righteous, and therefore He is always opposed to evil. The Bible in this regard describes God’s opposition to evil as the wrath or anger of God (Deu. 11:16-17; Jn. 3:36; Eph. 5:6). God been Just and holy cannot treat sin with levity, He cannot condole or overlook sin (2Ki. 23:26; Jer. 21:12; Hab. 1:13; Rom. 1:18; 2:5; Heb. 1:9; Rev. 14:8-11; 19:1-2). And man on the other hand is sinful (I Kings 8:46; Psm. 143:2; Prov. 20:9; Eccl. 7:20; Rom. 3:1-12,19,20,23; Gal. 3:22; Jas. 3:2; I Jn. 1:8,10) and therefore cannot come to God (Isa. 59:2; Rom. 8:7-8; Eph. 2:3; Col. 1:21).
Man deserved God’s wrath and punishment but God has no pleasure whatsoever in punishing man (Psa. 78:38; Rom. 2:2-4; 2Pt. 3:9). This was humanity’s condition, this was man’s state (more on this later) and this is why he needed Jesus as his propitiation.
(1John 2:1-2 [KJV])
My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for [the sins of] the whole world.
(1John 4:10 [KJV])
Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son [to be] the propitiation for our sins.
What is Propitiation?
The word propitiation in the original is ‘’hilasmos’’. In simple terms, it means to turn away a person’s anger by giving that person an offering. In this case God is the one who is angry. But not anger as in emotional outburst or bad temper but anger as in dissatisfaction.
Bible translators use different words to express the word ‘’hilasmos’’ used in the both verses above. Some use propitiation, others are: offering, atonement, satisfaction, reconciliation, expiator, atoning sacrifice or offering. All these words shed bright light to what the original word means. No one word fully captures it but ‘’propitiation’’ is the generally accepted and the closest to the original word ‘’hilasmos’’.
‘’The Greek word (ἱλασμός, hilasmos) behind the phrase atoning sacrifice conveys both the idea of “turning aside divine wrath” and the idea of “cleansing from sin.” – NET Bible Notes
Propitiation spoken of here in 1Jn.2:2 and 1Jn.4:10 is the propitiatory or what is called in the Old Covenant ‘’mercy seat’’, it was the blood sprinkled lid of the ark, the Old Testament meeting point of God and His people. Where God stood to relate with the Old Covenant saints (1Jo 2:2; 1Jo 4:10).
In the Septuagint the word used in Hebrew is ‘’kaphar’’ it means, to effect an atonement or reconciliation with God (Num 5:8; Heb 2:17), “to make reconciliation for sins,” literally, to expiate the sins. This is what David meant when he said in Psm. 32:1, “blessed is he whose sin is covered.” God in His infinite goodness “loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (1 Jn. 4: 10). God Himself provided the propitiation. His own Son Jesus was both the propitiatory sacrifice and high priest. He is the expiatory victim, the propitiatory sacrifice that has been offered to the Judge for all our offences against his holy majesty, and law, and government.
Propitiation is the God-ward side of the death of Christ Jesus. It is deals with the most fundamental matter in redemption, which is: the satisfaction of all the Divine claims against man and sin. What we stand to gain is secondary. Paul the Apostle knew this that’s why in the book of Romans the first time the death of Christ was mentioned (Rom.3:25) was in relation to the ‘’propitiatory’’ work of Christ it was later in Rom.4:25 that he spoke about one of the benefits we get as to propitiation.
The Concept of Propitiation in Heathen Religions
The concept of God held universally by all heathen is of god who is angry and must be placated before any blessing can be expected from him. And all heathen religions seek to change the attitude of god towards man so as to receive kindness and mercy from him.
We can even see this practiced by some heathen in the Old Testament. We can find that in 1Kings 18:21-29 [KJV]:
21 And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD [be] God, follow him: but if Baal, [then] follow him. And the people answered him not a word. 22 Then said Elijah unto the people, I, [even] I only, remain a prophet of the LORD; but Baal’s prophets [are] four hundred and fifty men. 23 Let them therefore give us two bullocks; and let them choose one bullock for themselves, and cut it in pieces, and lay [it] on wood, and put no fire [under]: and I will dress the other bullock, and lay [it] on wood, and put no fire [under]: 24 And call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the LORD: and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken. 25 And Elijah said unto the prophets of Baal, Choose you one bullock for yourselves, and dress [it] first; for ye [are] many; and call on the name of your gods, but put no fire [under]. 26 And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed [it], and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But [there was] no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped upon the altar which was made. 27 And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he [is] a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, [or] peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked. 28 And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them. 29 And it came to pass, when midday was past, and they prophesied until the [time] of the offering of the [evening] sacrifice, that [there was] neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded.
Through self-punishment, affliction they tried to change the attitude of their god from animosity and hatred to kindness and mercy. The heathen presents a god that is indifferent to the needs and feelings of man. It must take some great work from man to arouse any interest, or compassion or concern for men.
Through personal sacrifice sufferings and penance they were seeking to change the attitude of their god and turn his stony heart and silence to receive some blessing from him.
Elijah came to God not with outward demonstrations and self righteousness or penance but with a lamb – sacrifice. The believer in Christ today who does not know what Christ has done for him will still want to approach God with his good works as a bribe to force God’s hand. We don not approach God with our good works but through what Christ Jesus did. That is why we must know very well all what Christ did for us.
Religion presents God as tough and hard to please, cold and insensitive to men, stubborn, disinterested, unforgiving, and unconcerned. And only through personal sacrifice and self punishments can man get his scarce attention. But the scriptures present a god that is infinite in love, mercy and kindness.
It’s not God’s attitude towards man that needs to be changed but the great reservoir of his love and goodness and grace poured forth. And that will only happen when divine justice is satisfied.
(Gen 4:3-5 [KJV])
And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
This account in the Bible presents to us the two ways men try to reach God. It presents to us basically the two categories of religions in the world: ‘’Christianity and Others’’. Every other religion has volumes of rules on how to appease their gods. In these religions you’re mandated to keep offering sacrifices and do several rigorous religious activities that will somehow turn the gods your way.
It is noteworthy that God accepted the sacrifice of blood and not the sacrifice of sweat. God cannot accept anything that comes from man without the blood of Christ. Man is absolutely corrupt and everything that comes out of him is corrupt and God will not accept it. That is why we must come to Him only by the blood Jesus shed in the heavenly tabernacle.
What happened in this account is a type of what Christ will come to do. Now that Christ has come we do not continually offer this blood sacrifice, for Christ as our propitiation is enough. Anyone who believes in Christ Jesus enjoys His perfect propitiatory sacrifice. Jesus shed His blood once (Heb 7:27; Heb 9:24-28; Heb 10:10; Heb 10:12; Heb 10:14; 1Pet 3:18) and it is satisfactory to God forever.
Why Man Needed Propitiation
Man was sinful and absolutely alienated from God. The best description is that man was totally depraved. Louis Berkhof a respected scholar defines the total depravity of man thus: ‘’it does indicate: (1) that the inherent corruption extends to every part of man’s nature, to all the faculties and powers of both soul and body; and (2) that there is no spiritual good, that is, good in relation to God, in the sinner at all, but only perversion’’.
Man’s sinfulness, corruptedness and depravity cannot be estimated by man, it is God who can truly gauge the sinful state of man. The utter corruption of man is clearly taught in Scripture – Gen. 6:5; Ps. 14:3; Rom. 7:18. John 5:42; Rom. 7:18, 23; 8:7; Eph. 4:18; II Tim. 3:2-4; Tit. 1:15; Heb. 3:12.
There is absolutely no good in man outside Christ. When man compares himself with other men (Luke 18:10-14) he may find some feelings of self appreciation. But man is to be rated against the standard that God his creator has laid not mans concocted watered down and lowly standard. This was the same mistake of the Pharisees. They watered down the law to a standard they could use to appraise their morality before men and God.
‘’the effect of sin in man is pervasive, so that every part of man has been damaged and poisoned by evil. It is popular to say that there is good in every person, but the Bible insists on the opposite. That is, until a person becomes a Christian, there is no good in him at all’’ – Vincent Cheung
The religious fellow is only concerned about mans conduct and behavior, but it’s not just about mans conduct but his condition, not just his behavior but his state before a perfect, holy and righteous God.
God’s Estimation of man Outside Christ
All Men are Under Sin
(Gal 3:22 [KJV])
But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.
See more scriptures here: I Kings 8:46; Ps. 143:2; Prov. 20:9; Eccl. 7:20; Rom. 3:1-12,19,20,23; Jas. 3:2; I John 1:8,10
The 3 Aspects of Sin
Personal sins
(Rom 3:23 [KJV]) For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
God’s verdict over us is that we are all sinners and guilty of personal sins.
Sin Nature
Adam was created as an innocent being though with potential for evil. The fall switched his innocent nature to that of sin – the nature of sin. Since Adam was now corrupted all that came from him were as well corrupt.
Sin nature Transferred
The fall made Adam sin. His nature was now corrupt and as the federal head of humanity he pass on that same sinful nature he switched into. See what the Holy Bible says about it.
(Gen 5:3 [KJV]) And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat [a son] in his own likeness, after his image; and called his name Seth:
(Job 14:4 [KJV]) Who can bring a clean [thing] out of an unclean? not one.
(Ps 51:5 [KJV]) Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.
(Ps 58:3 [KJV]) The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies.
(Prov 22:15 [KJV]) Foolishness [is] bound in the heart of a child; [but] the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.
(1Cor 15:22a [KJV]) For as in Adam all die
(John 3:6 [KJV]) That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
(Eph 2:3 [KJV]) Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
The federal headship of Adam refers to his role as the representative of all mankind. Adam represented the human race as a “federal head” and not an “organic head.
The whole human race was potentially and numerically present in Adam, and therefore sinned when he sinned and became corrupt when he became corrupt. Human nature as a whole sinned in Adam, and therefore every individualization of that nature is also sinful. – Louis Berkhof
The Nature of Sin in man
(Rom 7:25 [KJV]) I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
(Rom 8:2 [KJV]) For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
Fruits of the sin nature – Rom. 3:10-18; Gal. 5:19-21
(Rom 3:10-18 [KJV]) As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Their throat [is] an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps [is] under their lips: Whose mouth [is] full of cursing and bitterness: Their feet [are] swift to shed blood: Destruction and misery [are] in their ways: And the way of peace have they not known:There is no fear of God before their eyes.
(Gal 5:19-21 [KJV]) Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are [these]; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told [you] in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
Under sin
(Rom 3:9 [KJV])
What then? are we better [than they]? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;
See more here: Gal. 3:22; Rom. 11:32
2. All Spiritually Dead
(Eph 2:1, 5 [KJV])
And you [hath he quickened], who were dead in trespasses and sins;
5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
Here are more scripture that proves that: Ez.18:4; Rom.6:23; Rom.5:12; Matt.8:22; Lk.15:24,32; Jn.5:21; 1Jn.3:14
This was the penalty for disobedience in the garden.
All Under Condemnation
(John 3:18, 36 [KJV])
He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
Read more here: Rom.1:18; 1Thes.5:9; 2Thes.1:9
Condemnation is the lot of the man who has no savior. Christ only not man’s good works can take away the condemnation, wrath, and curse on sinful man – Gal. 3:13
4. All under the power of satan
(1John 5:19 [KJV])
[And] we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.
(2Cor 4:4 [KJV]) In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
(Eph 2:1-3 [KJV]) And you [hath he quickened], who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
(Col 1:13 [KJV]) Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated [us] into the kingdom of his dear Son:
All Men Lost– lk.15; Eph.2:12;
(Eph 2:12 [KJV]) That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
Man is helpless, hopeless and lost without Christ his savior.
Jesus Christ is the only answer to the depravity of man. The answer is not in religion; the answer is not in church; the answer is not in sacraments or ordinances; the answer to man’s lostness is in a person – J Dwight Pentecost
Jesus as Man’s Only Propitiation for Sin
Propitiation does not change the attitude of God. What it does is that it frees God to act on behalf of sinners. God, our father today can freely lavish his goodness upon us because of what Christ Jesus has done. The barrier between us and Him is forever removed (Rom.5:2; Eph.2:18). Jesus has made a way to Him, in fact, Jesus only is the way to him (Jn.10:7, 9; Jn.14:6). Anyone who believes in Jesus today has open access to God and all His goodness.
God didn’t start loving man when Jesus died. He has always loved man. What the death of Jesus did was that it gave Him a righteous basis to love man and treat him with all goodness and mercy. Propitiation satisfies fully the claims of divine holiness, righteousness and justice.
A holy God is unapproachable by man. Though God is infinite in love, mercy and grace there was a barrier between God and man (Heb.9:8). Men all through the centuries have tried to pass that barrier to reach God by their strenuous efforts, good works, penance and restitutions. But there is no other way to God except through Christ. He is the way to God. He came and opened the way to God for all men to reach God and forever dwell in his presence by His own blood. There is no other way except through Christ.
‘’A man out of Christ is the flesh such a man cannot please God. He may be most religious, most moral, most amiable, most benevolent, a most excellent master, a gorgeous friend, a liberal giver, a genial companion, a patron of the poor, upright and honorable in all his dealings, he may be an eloquent preacher and a popular writer, and all the while not be ‘’in Christ’’ but ‘’in the flesh,’’ and therefore ‘’cannot please God’’ – CH Mackintosh
Only by blood is propitiation done not good works, penance or restitution Heb. 9:7, 22; 1Pet.1:18-19). And that blood must be of the Christ, for it is the only satisfactory propitiation for sin (Heb.9:14, 22). We must trust in Christ and Him alone to be saved from the grip of sin and its consequences. It is a fruitless venture trying to please or appease God by your penance, restitutions and dead works.
And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission (Heb.9:22).
God is the one who must be propitiated not man (Gen.18:25; Heb.12:23; Psm.51:1-4). No matter who we offend ultimately it is God we have sinned against. David an Old Covenant King understood this truth very well. After he had fallen into adultery and committed murder see what he said to God: Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin [is] ever before me. 4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done [this] evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, [and] be clear when thou judgest (Psm.51:1-4[KJV]).
God the one who man sinned and transgressed against is today satisfied by the sacrifice of his son Jesus Christ don’t bring any other sacrifice. Any other sacrifice no matter how good it seems to man is only but a filthy rag to Him. God is satisfied and absolutely pleased with you only because of Christ.
Jesus is the sacrifice for sin (Heb.9:12-14, 28; 1Jn.1-2; 1Jn.4:10; Rom 3:25-26; Heb 2:17; 1Jo 2:2) and the only sacrifice accepted to God. Don’t try to offer sacrifices to God to appease Him in any way. The sacrifice of Christ has fully atoned for your sins and made you acceptable to God forever. You cannot restitute your sins away. You cannot do enough penance to wash away your sins. You cannot bribe God with some filthy rag self righteousness to accept you. Jesus is the only ground for your acceptance in God’s presence. Your acceptance to God is not by your strenuous religiosity but the precious blood of Christ Jesus.
(Rom 3:25 [Weymouth]) He it is whom God put forward as a Mercy-seat, rendered efficacious through faith in His blood, in order to demonstrate His righteousness— because of the passing over, in God’s forbearance, of the sins previously committed
(Rom 5:1’10-11 [KJV]) Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. 11 And not only [so], but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.
(2Cor 5:18-19 [KJV]) 18 And all things [are] of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
God’s wrath, punishment and judgment for sin and His matchless love for man was seen demonstrated evidently in the sacrifice of Christ. The sacrifice was not man gift to court God’s attention, love and favour but God’s righteous means of bearing divine judgment for sin (Isa. 53:4-5,10-11; 54:8; Mic. 7:18; Jn. 3:16-21,36; Rom. 6:23). The motivation to give up His son as a propitiatory sacrifice was love; the act was a righteous act. Now we are accepted, loved and blessed abundantly by this righteous means.
Israel in the Old Testament looked to the mercy seat as the place where sinful men could meet a gracious and holy God. Today, we look to the Lord Jesus, who bore all our sins in his own body (Rom 3:25-26; Heb 2:17; 1Jo 2:2).
