Propitiation

Propitiation – the act of gaining or regaining favor or goodwill

                             Specifically : an atoning sacrifice (Merriam-Webster)

10/15/2020

1 John 2:2 “And He is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the world.”

I am tempted to just post the verse above, because what more could be said about this truth? However, I am reflecting on what Chambers has to say, and he once again is speaking of the missionary message. I believe we are all called to be missionaries. This does not mean God will send me to a foreign land or inner city, although I have great respect and admiration for those people who give their lives to God in such a fashion. My mission field, as is true for many of us, is right where I live: my neighborhood, workplace, children’s school, local organizations, social group, church, and anywhere God leads me. I could be doing missionary work while talking to a complete stranger on the street.

I used to be challenged by this call, because it used to be promoted as handing out tracts on the sidewalk periodically, or going door to door during an evangelizing event. I rarely participated in these affairs because I was very intimidated and ill-equipped. One crucial bit of information that was never fully spoken about in my experience is what Chambers writes here: “The missionary message is the limitless significance of Jesus Christ as the propitiation for our sins, and the missionary is the one soaked in that revelation.”  The training was always about how to approach people, and how to share the gospel in script form, but there was no focus on preparation. Now that I am slightly more mature in my faith, I look at this verse and many others, as well as Chambers words, and I know that I need to be completely “soaked” in this truth; the truth at the heart of the Gospel. It is a wonderful thing to share my testimony with others, or how much God loves them, or Jesus’ miracles and profound teachings, because all of those are important. Yet, the single most critical fact to clearly share with others is that Jesus is the Atonement not just for some, but for all. Amazing grace.

 

Once a person yields to Jesus and repents of their sin they enter into a new life, and the old life is washed away. Nothing can steal an honest and true salvation, no past sin or person, for in Christ I am free.