THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO APOSTLE PAUL - Part 5

 Continued from Part 4………………….

 

We have so far seen that the Gospel according to Apostle Paul was based on Faith, the New Covenant, Adoption and Reconciliation. 

We now come to the fifth aspect of the Gospel according to Apostle Paul.

 

5.       IT IS A GOSPEL BASED ON PROPITIATION 

Propitiation is the act of pacifying or appeasing God, resulting in divine favour or avoiding divine retribution.  This word is mentioned only 3 times in the Bible. 

 

Romans 3:24, 25 – “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:  Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;”

 

1 John 2:2 – “And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.”

 

1 John 4:10 – “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” 

When we (in Adam) sinned, God became extremely angry.  In order to get back to terms with Him, we had to propitiate for our sin.  Although God loved us very much, His righteous nature would not permit Him to simply overlook our disobedience.  On the other hand, we could never by ourselves appease an angry God.  So, we were left helpless. 

But we thank God who came to our rescue.  He sent His Son Jesus Christ to become our propitiation, so that divine justice could be satisfied and we could once again be reconciled with Him.  The blood of Jesus was shed to satisfy divine justice and appease God’s wrath on sinful man.

Therefore, the gospel (good news) is that we now have “……….boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus.” 

Remember, the closer we get to God - the further we get from sin.

Sin made man fearless and caused him to hide from God’s presence but the free gift of righteousness that God gave to us because of Jesus Christ enables us to stand in God’s presence fearless, guiltless and forgiven.  He loved us first, so we love Him.  Now, that is GOOD NEWS!

 

To be continued……….