For a person's sins to be forgiven, GOD's holiness must first be satisfied: Propitiation (or atonement) must take place, for every sinful deed is an offense against HIM. Only then can GOD forgive.
Let us glance at the Old Testament. When an Israelite had sinned, he had to make an offering for sin. The blood of the animal sacrificed was poured out at the foot of the altar, the fat was burnt on the altar, and then we read: "So shall the priest make atonement for them, and it shall be forgiven them". - Leviticus 4 : 20, 26, 35.
There was thus first the propitiation and then forgiveness. But where could we find an offering that would satisfy GOD's Holiness? Our verses above tell us: GOD gave one HIMSELF in HIS great love. JESUS, The SON of GOD is the Propitiation for our sins. JESUS fulfilled GOD's Holy claims and demands at the cross. Now everyone can come and for himself lay hold of the Propitiation made by CHRIST.
Whoever does so receives forgiveness. That is the outcome of Propitiation for the believer. GOD never remembers sins that have been forgiven: "Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more" -Hebrews 10 : 17. The LORD JESUS said, "This is my blood...which is shed for many for the forgiveness of sins" -(Matthew 26:28). Can all our readers be counted among the "many"?
This wonderful reading is taken from the book, The Good Seed. It has wonderful articles that will make you fall in love with your MAKER.
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