Propitiation

Merriam Webster Dictionary defines propitiation something that propitiates specifically an atoning sacrifice; The Greek word is hilaskomai meaning; “be merciful” once, and “make reconciliation” once. To render one’s self, to appease, conciliate to one’s self. To become propitious: Propitiation carries the basic idea of appeasement, or satisfaction, specifically towards God. Propitiation is a two-part act that involves appeasing the wrath of an offended person and being reconciled to him. Thus, propitiation expresses the idea that Jesus died on the cross to pay the price for sin that a holy God demanded.
Even thought Jesus committed no sin He took our sins and redeemed us from the penalty of death that our sins demanded as explained in 1 John 2; He {Jesus} is expiation for our sins, and not for our sins only but for those of the whole world.
When God sees man committing sins His wrath is aroused, however, He does not lose his temper nor fly of the handle over a trivial matter. As John Stott stated,”For there is nothing capricious or arbitrary about the holy God. Nor is he ever irascible, malicious, spiteful or vindictive. His anger is neither mysterious nor irrational. It is never unpredictable, but always predictable, because it is provoked by evil, and evil alone.” In short He hates.
Because He loves mankind He sent His one and only Son to take our place take our sins. As scriptures states.“ Not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”

Redemption

Easton Bible Dictionary defines redemption; the purchase back of something that had been lost, by the payment of a ransom. The Greek word for redemption is apolutrosis, meaning; a ransom, or price paid Yet another Greek word lytron meaning a ransom or price or release or loosen . For example, Easton Bible Dictionary explains in this manner,” The debt against us is not viewed as simply cancelled, but is fully paid. Christ’s blood or life, which he surrendered for them, is the “ransom” by which the deliverance of his people from the servitude of sin and from its penal consequences I secured. ” As scripture states,” Christ ransomed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who hangs on a tree,” furthermore, the Bible states, “ For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Another passage states, “ He gave Himself as ransom for all man.”
The Heidelberg Catechism asks this question. What is your only comfort in life and death? “That I with body and soul, both in life, and death, am not my own, but belong unto my faithful Savior Jesus Christ; who, with his precious blood, hath fully satisfied for all my sins, and delivered me from all the power of the devil.” As John Stott stated,” for Christ gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness to liberate us from all ravages of the Fall.”

Remember Jesus is God that He redeemed us from our sins, by shedding His blood and the human side died on the cross. In short, Jesus took our place. For example, Josephus describes an incident between 54 and 53 BC where a General Crassus visited the Temple in Jerusalem intending plundering the sanctuary. A high priest named Eleazar who was the guardian of the sacred treasures, gave him a large bar of gold worth 10,000 shekels as a ransom. That is, the gold bar was offered as a substitute for the temple treasure.

In short, our ticket is already punch in glorious heaven and our salvation is secured through Christ. We serve Christ not to secure our place in heaven because He already redeemed us from the curse of the law, We serve Him so others can share in our glory when they accept Jesus as Lord and Savour. As Jesus stated, “ I have other sheep, which is not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will hear My voice; and they will become one flock with one shepherd. We love because He loves us first.

Lastly, The Heidelberg Catechism state these words.” Therefore, by his Holy Spirit,” He also assures me of eternal life, and makes me wholeheartedly willing and ready from now on to live for him. The Heidelberg Catechism asks yet another; questions “How many things must you know That you may live and die in the blessedness of this comfort? Three. First, the greatness of my sin and wretchedness. Second, how I am freed from all my sins and their wretched consequences. Third, what gratitude I owe to God for such redemption. Buy being His servant

Justification

Merriam Webster Dictionary; defines justification; the act, process, or state of being justified by God. Greek word is dikaiósis meaning: the act of pronouncing righteous, acquittal meaning. The Nelson illustration Bible Dictionary defines; The process by which sinful human beings are made acceptable to a holy God. The Easton Bible Dictionary defines; a forensic term, opposed to condemnation. As regards its nature, it is the judicial act of God, by which he pardons all the sins of those who believe in Christ, and accounts, accepts, and treats them as righteous in the eye of the law; i.e., as conformed to all its demands. The law is not relaxed or set aside, but is declared to be fulfilled in the strictest sense; and so the person justified is declared to be entitled to all the advantages and rewards arising from perfect obedience to the law.
The reformer such as Martin Luther and Calvin penned these words, “Justification is the main hinge which salvation turns. ” Justification is the article where the church stand or falls”
Nelson New Dictionary define it; as a Righteousness may be imputed, a process by which Christ’s righteousness becomes transferred or imparted to the sinner and the sinner is transformed through the Holy Spirit into a righteous person.

Tim Kellar wrote these words “The gospel of justifying faith means that while Christians are, in themselves still sinful and sinning, yet in Christ, in God’s sight, they are accepted and righteous. So we can say that we are more wicked than we ever dared believe, but more loved and accepted in Christ than we ever dared hope—at the very same time. This creates a radical new dynamic for personal growth. It means that the more you see your own flaws, and sins, the more precious, electrifying, and amazing God’s grace appears to you. But on the other hand, the more aware you are of God’s grace and acceptance in Christ, the more able you are to drop your denials and self-defenses and admit the true dimensions and character of your sin.”

Dr. Crammer wrote,” This faith the holy Scripture teacheth, this is the strong rock and foundation of Christian religion: This doctrine all old and ancient authors of Christ’s church do approve this doctrine advanceth and setteth for the true glory of Christ, and beateth down the vain glory of man: this whosoever denieth is not to be counted on it true Christian man —- but for an adversary for Christ.”
The contemporary Anglican evangelical wrote.” Justification by Faith appears to us, as it does to all evangelicals, to be the heart and hub, the paradigm, and essence, of the whole economy, of God’s’s saving grace. Like Atlas, it bears a world on it shoulders, the entire evangelical knowledge of God love in Christ towards this sinner.
Dr.J.I. Packer defines it as, “ God’s gracious work of bestowing upon guilty sinner a justified justification, acquitting them in the court of heaven without prejudice to his justice is their Judge. When God justifies the sinners, he is not declaring that people to be good, or saying that they are not sinners after all; He pronouncing them legal righteous, free from liability to the broken law, because He Himself in His Son has borne the penalty of their law-breaking.“ As written in the Scripture, “nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; Further more it states, “ He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regenn and renewing by the Holy Spirit.
Lastly in The Heidelberg Catechism in question 60 ask this question, How are you righteous before God? And wrote these words. “God grants and credits to us, the perfect satisfaction, righteousness, and holiness of Christ, as if I had never sinned nor were a sinner, as if I had been as perfectly obedient as Christ was obedient for me. In short, it’s a legal term.
A great illustration found in Luke 18; 13 – 14 about parable of the tax collector; “But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, the sinner!’ I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he whom humbles himself will be exalted.
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When Eve and Adam disobeyed God when they were instructed not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die.” Mankind inherited sin nature as written in scripture, “ For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Furthermore it written,” Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me.” When we believe, repent, and confess ours sins to Christ. We’re declared righteous before God, hence we’re now being justified as though we’ve not sinned. Martin Lloyd Jones penned these words, “A revealed gospel; a righteousness acceptable to God; clothed with Christ’s righteousness; the uniqueness of Christian faith;
Remember, The reason we are justified by God grace is that Christ Jesus paid the ransom price and if that God presented himself an as propitiatory sacrifice. In other words, we are justified by his blood. There could be no justification without atonement.” In short, those believe in Jesus is justified in Him.

Should a follower of Christ change is moral life style because they’re justify through Christ and declare righteous before God?
The answer is definitely yes flee from our sins live moral life while the follower of Christ is set free from the bondage of sin when they repent, confess, and believe in the atoning work of Christ, and they’re declare righteous before God. However, because of our sinful nature we tend to fall back into our sinful habits again or find other sins. Instead of trying to cover our sins. We need to continue confessing our sins before Christ, and remember that He still loves us, and will forgive you. Out love for Jesus Christ, and His grace we need to live a moral. Even thou it will not guarantee our place in heaven It only believing in the atoning work of Christ that would guarantee our place in heaven. Yet, it does not mean we can do as we please and expect God to be please. Remember therefore, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. As Scripture states Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.

Reconciliation

Merriam Webster College Thesaurus defines; establishment of harmony The Greek is katallagé meaning restoration to favor. Nelson New Illustrated Bible Study defines, the process by which God and people are brought together again. The Bible teaches that they are alienated from one another because of God’s holiness and human sinfulness; In short a change from enmity to friendship.
Easton Bible Dictionary penned these words,” to a change wrought in the personal character of the sinner who ceases to be an enemy to God by wicked works, and yields up to him his full confidence and love, but to God himself, as the party reconciled. Through His Son Jesus Christ.
The Vine Complete Expository Dictionary Topic Finder; He paid the penalty of sin. In his body Jesus Christ bore (bear; nail; stripe) the sins of the world so that humanity might receive forgiveness (remission) and that their sin would be imputed to Christ’s account, in order that Christ’s righteousness might be reckoned to their account. He was the propitiation of God’s wrath against sin (mercy seat).
Finally In What Does The Bible say wrote these words about reconciliation the sinner where they’re restored to the Christian community and they’re part family of God.
We Are Family!
In Galatians 3:28, Paul emphasizes that three major social distinctions no longer matter in Christ:
• Ethnicity: “neither Jew nor Greek.”
• Socioeconomic status: “neither slave nor free.”
• Gender: “neither nor female.”
First-century culture was deeply divided along these lines. So was the church. But Paul stressed, “You are all one in Christ Jesus” (emphasis added).
Christians have become children of God through faith, which means we are all in the same family. We are no longer divided by ethnicity, social status, or gender, but have become brothers and sisters in God’s family.
One powerful symbol of that new unity is baptism (Gal. 3:27). As part of the baptismal ceremony, a believer affirms the lordship of Christ and his or her commitment to a new way of life. Paul is possibly quoting from a first-century baptismal creed (Gal. 3:28) to remind us of our promise to “put on Christ,” not in word but in deed.
In the early Christian communities, this meant that both Gentiles and Jews could exercise their spiritual gifts. Both slaves and masters could pray or prophesy. Both women and men could enjoy full membership in the body. “Christ [was] all and in all” (Col. 3:11). The breaking down of traditional barriers wasn’t just a future hope. The early church worked to make it a reality.
Remember God Father sent mankind the greatest gift His Son Jesus Christ who was willing sacrifice Himself by dying on the cross for mankind sins so they can be reconciled to His Father. That God took the steps to reconcile sinful man by sending His Only Son Jesus Christ, and took our place. William Temple wrote these words,”All is God; it only thing my very own which I contribute to my redemption is the sin from what I need to be redeemed.” John Stott wrote concerning 2 Corinthians 5; 21 for our sake God naturally made the sinless Christ to be sin with our sins. The God who refused to reckon our sins to be reckoned to Christ instead. Indeed, his personal sinlessness uniquely qualified bear ours in our place. Emil Brunner wrote,” justification means this miracle; that Christ takes our place, and we take His.” Second – century Epistle to Diognetus chapter nine: “O sweet exchanged! O unsearchable operation! O benefits surpassing all expectation! That the wickedness of many should be hid in a single Righteous One, and that the righteousness of One should justify many transgressors.“ Martin Luther wrote, “ Learn to know Christ and him crucified. Learn to sing to him and say Lord Jesus you are my righteousness I am your sin. You took on you what was mine; he said to me what was yours. You became what you were not, and I might come when I was not.“ Richard Hooker wrote, “ Such we are in the site of God the Father, as is the very Son of God himself. Let counted folly or frenzy or fury or whatsoever. It is our wisdom and our comfort; we care for no knowledge in the world but this that God hath made himself as the sin of men, and righteousness of God. “Reconciliation was God idea not ours.
To me, the redemption story is telling your story about how Jesus rescue you from your sinful state. For example, you’re marry and your wife is pregnant on the day. The child is born. That its boy and the husband is over joy and telling everyone in the will hospital it boy, we just had boy! Just tell your redemption story to the lost world is powerful tool.

Propitiation, Redemption, Justification, and Reconciliation rich theological words that explain in details why Jesus came to earth over 2,000 year ago, and willingly went to cross on the cross for my sins. John Stott wrote, “ Since Christ’s blood is a symbol of his life laid down by violent death, it is also plain in each of the four images that he died in our place as our substitute. The death of Jesus was the atoning sacrifice because of what God averted his wrath from us, the ransom price we have been redeemed, the condemnation of the innocent death the guilty might be justified, and the sinless One being made sin for us.”
John Stott sum well in these words,” So substitution is not a theory of the atonement. Nor is it even an additional image to take its place as an option alongside the others. It as rather the essence of each image is heart of atonement itself. None of the four images could stand without it. I am not of course saying that is necessary to understand, let alone articulate, a substitutionary atonement before one can be saved. Yet, the responsibility of Christian teachers, preachers, and other witnesses to seek grace to expound it with clarity and conviction. For better people understand the glory of the divine substitution, the easier it will be for them to trust in the Substitute.”

Propitiation; The wrath of God is appeased and satisfy with payment.
Redemption; Mankind rescue from our sins at the expense of Jesus or high price.
Justification; is a legal term declaring before God as through we’ve not sinned .
Reconciliation; Jesus Christian bridging the gap between sinful and holy God.