Propitiation

Propitiation refers to the appeasement of God’s wrath against sin through a sacrificial offering. It is a key concept in understanding the work of Jesus Christ on the cross.

A breakdown of its meaning and significance

• Atonement for Sin: Propitiation emphasises that Jesus’ death on the cross was a sacrifice that satisfied God’s just demand for punishment of sin. It was a substitutionary act, where Jesus took the penalty we deserved upon himself.
• Reconciliation with God: Through this propitiatory sacrifice, the barrier of sin that separated humanity from God was removed. It made it possible for us to be reconciled to God and have a restored relationship with Him.
• God’s Love and Justice: Propitiation highlights both God’s love for humanity and His perfect justice. God’s love is demonstrated in providing the sacrifice of Jesus, while His justice is upheld by not overlooking sin but dealing with it decisively.

Key Bible Verses

• Romans 3:25: “God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished.”
• 1 John 2:2: “He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.”
• 1 John 4:10: “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.”