| ( D ) GOD PROVIDES THE OFFERING ---------------------------------------------------------------------- A remarkable and enlightening aspect of Christs� propitiation is the fact that it was God Himself who provided the offering of His very own Son. I say remarkable for various reasons. First of all, due to the fact that it is God who was the offended party and yet God, the offended party, is the one who provides the offering of Jesus His Son in order to remove His own wrath and hostility from sinful mankind. It was God who is offended with sin and iniquity and is therefore separate from sin and iniquity. It was Gods� holy justice which demanded a means to judge, condemn and do away with sin. It was mankind who by our inherent, sinful nature incurred Gods� displeasure and hatred. This is not to say that God hates mankind. He does not because He is the Creator of mankind. But what God hates is the sinful nature which causes mankind to be disobedient to Himself thus resulting in death and separation of mankind from Himself. Yet God, even though He is the offended party, provides the offering of His Son Jesus in order that there can be peace between Himself and mankind. A remarkable truth concerning Christs' propitiation is that it is God Himself who made the decision that His beloved Son Jesus should suffer the consequences of sin on behalf of sinful mankind so that sinful mankind would not have too. Therefore, it is by no means a frivolous or vain thing when the apostle John makes direct connection between Christs� propitiatory act and the love of God for mankind; 8. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. 9. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. 10. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. - 1 John 4:8-10 I had stated in section ( A ) of this study concerning other revealing factors about Christs� propitiation. One of those revealing factors is this decision and act of love which God makes for the benefit of mankind. It is a unique wonder to realize that God took it upon Himself to provide the means whereby He could condemn sin and yet at the same time do so without destroying sinful mankind who by nature deserved condemnation and destruction due to sin and iniquity. God, the offended party, was the one who provided the offering via His Son, Jesus Christ, who would receive the condemnation for the sins of the whole world. This act of love is a marvelous, great love because it proves that God, the offended party, first loved us, sinful mankind, the offending party. What the scriptures reveal about the person of God is His unique heart and character because even though He is offended with our sins and iniquities, God made the decision to initiate the process of reconciliation between Himself and His offending enemy, sinful mankind. God made the first move to reestablish a way whereby mankind could return and avail ourselves of a direct relationship and fellowship with Him, our Creator. Not only in this earthly life but also in the eternal life to come. God became a physical, flesh and blood man and chose to suffer the consequences of sins and iniquities; 5. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6. Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7. But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8. And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. - Philippians 2:5-8 God took it upon Himself to suffer the condemnation which His enemy, sinful mankind, justly deserved due to our inherent sinful nature and acts of sin. This is truly a rich and unfathomable love of God. The scriptures declare this marvelous love of God for His enemy; 16. And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. 17. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. 18. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. 19. We love him, because he first loved us. - 1 John 4:16-19 8. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. 9. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. 10. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. - 1 John 4:8-10 16. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. - John 3:16-17 For any person to deny that God loves mankind is a person who does not know the gracious act of love which God has freely given of Himself via His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. And the propitiatory act of Christ for the sins of the whole world. Such a person is ignorant of the scriptures which reveal that through Gods� Son, Jesus Christ, any person can get back in relationship and fellowship with God, the Creator of heaven and earth; 6. Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. - John 14:6 9. Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. 10. By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11. And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: 12. But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; 13. From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. 14. For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. 15. Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, 16. This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; 17. And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. 18. Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. 19. Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20. By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; 21. And having an high priest over the house of God; 22. Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. - Hebrews 10:9-22 12. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13. Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. - John 1:12-13 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- |
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