Joni And Friends 23 January 2024 Devotional Message
Joni and Friends 23 January 2024 Devotional Tuesday Message. As you study today’s devotional, remember this; “Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15 (NLT)
TOPIC: Propitiation
“…all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by his blood.” – Romans 3:23-25 (NKJV)
The word we are focusing on today is propitiation. It’s a word rarely found in newer translations of the Bible. Unfortunately, it’s out of fashion, even in Christian circles. Propitiation carries the idea of appeasement or satisfaction—in this case Christ’s violent death satisfied the offended holiness and wrath of God against those for whom Christ died. Blood spilled to quench the wrath of an angry God? It almost makes the cross sound like a pagan sacrificial rite. Little wonder many Christians are uncomfortable with the idea of sinners in the hands of an angry God.
But wait! In pagan religions it is the worshiper, not the god, who is responsible to appease the wrath of the offended deity. But in reality man is incapable of satisfying God’s justice apart from Christ, except by spending eternity in hell. In Christianity it is God, not the worshiper, who took the responsibility of satisfying his own wrath.
Herein lies the amazing love of God—the Father’s wrath was appeased through the willing sacrifice offered by his own Son. “It was the LORD’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer…After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities” (Isa. 53:10—11).
This is what makes the Good News so great. “God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thess. 5:9). God has no more anger left for us, only mercy, pardon, forgiveness, compassion, and grace upon grace.
Lord Jesus, thank you for being the propitiation for my sins. I don’t deserve that; I deserve God’s wrath, but you’ve given me heaven. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
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