Propitiation? What in the world does that mean?

Day Three of the June Scripture Writing Plan

How familiar are you with these expressions:  "Knowledge is power," "Never stop learning," and "The more I know the less I understand"?  Most of us have heard these or something similar to them for quite a while now.

Next question:  how do you learn?  Some of us are old school and we have to see it, read it, and then try it for ourselves.  Others can watch a quick video and then mimic the lesson laid out with little difficulty.  And others of us do it the hard way.  Time after time after time we practice the task at hand until one day it all comes together, makes sense, and we are able to move on to the next piece of instruction.

John was a patient teacher.  I guess it's because he had been so close to Christ he was able to share those characteristics he had been exposed to.  In his first epistle, chapter two, he begins with these words "My little children, I am writing these things so that you may not sin."  He goes on to explain what happens when one is unable to stay on track through the next three and a half verses, which are what today's reading and writing plan are about:

"But if anyone does sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous.
He is the propitiation for our sins, and not ours only but also for the sins of the whole world."  {Can you not just imagine the expression in John's voice as he writes these words of wisdom?}
"And by this we know that we have come to know Him if we keep His commandments.
Whoever says 'I know Him' but does not keep His commandments is a liar, and truth is not in him."

Now, if I was sitting under John's teaching, I'd already have a couple of questions, the first one being "what is a propitiation?"  Per Theopedia.com, "Propitiation means the turning away of wrath by an offering. In relation to soteriology, propitiation means placating or satisfying the wrath of God by the atoning sacrifice of Christ."

Oh yeah.  Sure.  That clears it up.  

Thankfully, when I delve a little deeper, the definition goes on to say "In 1 John 2:2; 4:10, Christ is called the 'propitiation for our sins.' Here a different Greek word is used, hilasmos. Christ is 'the propitiation,' because by His becoming our substitute and assuming our obligations He expiated our guilt, covering it by the vicarious punishment which He endured. "

Um, I still need a little more help with "expiated."  So, here's the rest of it ("Seek and ye shall find" really works!):  

"Propitiation literally means to make favorable and specifically includes the idea of dealing with God’s wrath against sinners. Expiation literally means to make pious and implies either the removal or cleansing of sin. 

The idea of propitiation includes that of expiation as its means; but the word 'expiation' has no reference to quenching God’s righteous anger. The difference is that the object of expiation is sin, not God. One propitiates a person, and one expiates a problem. Christ's death was therefore both an expiation and a propitiation. By expiating (removing the problem of) sin God was made propitious (favorable) to us."

Sigh.  It's a tad bit complicated, huh, and one could easily throw up her hands and just skim over this passage in hopes of gleaning the lesson elsewhere?  I was tempted to as well.  However, if it was easy, everyone would do it.  We all know the Christian walk is far from simple so just as I challenged you a few days ago to join me in this month-long study, I challenge you now to get in there and stay in there.  Don't quit reading the Bible when the words get tough.  There is absolutely no excuse in today's time with the resources we have at our fingertips to not go deeper when the answer is not always obvious.

In conclusion--yes, without further explanation of these four verses--today I encourage you to take advantage of John's teaching and see why it is he wrote what he wrote.  After all, how are you going to learn if you don't use what has been given to you?  How will you know if you don't study?  "Study to show thyself approved" was my life verse last year.  I'm still endeavoring for that "Well done, Stef" from my Lord.  Have you gotten your A+ yet?  

Let's pray!

Dear Lord, I know I was in a different tone than normally used but for some reason I felt the need to motivate my readers to get in Your Word and stop hearing things second-handedly.  Please bless us as we seek You and learn things in a deeper way than just the superficial things we often hear but don't take the time to apply.  Have patience with us, Father, as we try to know Your truths so that we aren't liars, aren't babies, but instead use our God-given knowledge to be more wise than ever before.  I ask these things in the name of Jesus.  Amen.

Walk in the Light

Day One of the June Scripture Writing Plan

{The challenge is that each of the daily scriptures takes ten minutes or less to copy out.  Commit to spending ten minutes each day listening to God's voice as you simply copy these texts out of your Bible.  I am furthering that challenge--for myself--to blog about each passage daily.}

I John 1:5-7 

This is the message we have heard from Him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all.  If we say we have fellowship with Him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.  But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.

When I first read this, I had to do a double check.  Wasn't this plan supposed to be on the topic of forgiveness?  As I was confirming, Steve was checking as well.  So, we proceeded to write it down and see just where it would take us.  Here's what we came up with.

In order to understand forgiveness, we have to be first made aware of the consequences of it. It reminded me of a conversation I had yesterday with my gals at Card Ministry as I was encouraging them to join me in this plan.  I said something to the effect of how so many of us think we are "okay" and "not mad at anyone" and then someone (like Shirley) says something and we realize how very much she gets on our nerves and then we are confronted with "where did that come from--that negative feeling?" and we realize we are harboring some grudge that we had suppressed perhaps.  Unaware of it until just that special moment, when it rears its ugly head and suddenly we are enveloped in darkness.

Do you see it?  Darkness.  Now go back to the scripture and there it is, the seventeenth word:  light.  "God is light and in Him is no darkness." Oops, don't skip those next two precious words:  "at all."  At all?  Seriously?  None?  Zilch?  Nada?  

For real, friends.  No darkness.  Thus, there can be no sin.  And what is sin?  It's a breach between doing what is right and what is wrong.  When things are right, they are obvious.  When they are wrong, they are hidden, covered, put into dark places.  They cower there, causing separation, causing fear, causing hate.

So then, are sin and forgiveness the same?  

No, not at all. But they do go hand in hand.  For you see, if we sin, fellowship is broken.  Restoration is needed to renew that right spirit.  And in order to have that, we must have the light, we must have Christ cleanse us from all sin.  And then?  Then we get to be in the light.  Cue dc Talk!  Their song "In The Light" almost immediately went through my head as I first read this passage this morning.   

In closing, I encourage you to examine yourselves.  Check those dark areas of your life you've been avoiding and let the light shine through them.  Aren't you tired of living in the shadows?  Come on out, friends.  The view is spectacular!  Once we fully understand our need for forgiveness, for light, then we can go on to being more like Christ.  

Let's pray!

Dear Father, I want to be in the light as You are in the light.  I want to shine like the stars in the heavens.  Oh Lord, be my Light and be my Salvation, 'cause all I want is to be in the Light!

Cleanse me from my darkened heart and unconfessed sins.  Teach me to let them go and to renew a steadfast spirit that honors You and the sacrifices Christ Jesus made so that I could have fellowship with You is my prayer.  Shine on me, Lord, I ask.  Amen.