By: kalahawk
Uncategorized

I John 4:10 The Two Sides of The Meaning of Propitiation

This is the Sage II Dictionary definition of “Propitiation”

  1. “The act of atoning for sin or wrongdoing (especially appeasing a deity)”.

We can see definition 1. could be called “atonement”.  Or to paraphrase it means to appease a god and prevent from anger and wrath.

  1. “The act of placating and overcoming distrust and animosity”.

And definition 2. could be called “reconciliation”.  Or to paraphrase it means to become friends again or to establish a relationship and ending all hostilities.

“And you, who were once alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled”  (Colossians 1:21)

“For if when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life”  (Romans 5:10)

I would suggest our God as we know Him is pure LOVE.  One definition sees God as angry and vengeful, and we should fear to step on His toes.  The other definition sees God as loving, kind and long-suffering, toward US.

“Come now, and let us reason together, says Jehovah; though your sins are as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be like wool”   (Isaiah 1:18)

This is “reconciliation”.  God our Father says let us sit and have a loving chat. This is a teaching moment.  Then we will put this behind us, and move on.

This is LOVE.  This is the true meaning of the word “Propitiation”.

 

God Is Love

1Jn 4:7  Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God, and everyone who loves has been born of God, and knows God.

1Jn 4:8  The one who does not love has not known God. For God is love.

1Jn 4:9  In this the love of God was revealed in us, because God sent His only begotten Son into the world that we might live through Him.

1Jn 4:10  In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation concerning our sins.

1Jn 4:11  Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

1Jn 4:12  No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwells in us, and His love is perfected in us.

1Jn 4:13  By this we know that we dwell in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit.

1Jn 4:14  And we have seen and testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world.

1Jn 4:15  Whoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwells in him and he in God.

1Jn 4:16  And we have known and believed the love that God has in us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.

1Jn 4:17  In this is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment, that as He is, so also we are in this world.

1Jn 4:18  There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear, because fear has torment. He who fears has not been perfected in love.

1Jn 4:19  We love Him because He first loved us.

1Jn 4:20  If anyone says, I love God, and hates his brother, he is a liar. For if he does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?

1Jn 4:21  And we have this commandment from Him, that he who loves God should love his brother also.

“Therefore in all things, it behoved him to be made like His brothers, that He might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of His people. For in that He Himself has suffered, having been tempted, He is able to rescue those who are being tempted” (Heb 2:17-18).