Christ, the Propitiation

Free Grace, Costly Sacrifice

(Romans 3:23-25)

Justification does not mean that a person’s nature has become righteous. It means that a sinner who was bound for hell now has the legal ground by which he no longer needs to go to hell, because the righteousness of Christ has been imputed to him through faith.

1. Redemption
Redemption means to deliver someone by paying a ransom. God delivers humanity, who had become captives of sin and death. Yet He does not simply release them; He makes them His own possession. The ransom required for this was fully paid by the blood of Jesus Christ—that is, by His death.

2. Propitiation
The atoning sacrifices of the Old Testament had limitations. Every year on the Day of Atonement, the high priest entered the Most Holy Place and sprinkled the blood of animals, but those sacrifices could not satisfy the justice of God. They were only placing the burden upon the true sacrifice that was to come; they could not resolve the wrath of God, which would finally cast sinners into the lake of fire. Christ became the propitiation. He paid the price of sin on behalf of humanity and pacified the wrath of God.

3. Grace
For those who believe, there is no longer any reason left for them to go to hell. This salvation has been given freely, without payment, by grace. Therefore, we have no ground for pride. The fact that we have been justified does not mean that our sinful nature has disappeared, nor does it mean that we have suddenly become good people. The only reason we are not treated as sinners is the once-for-all sacrifice of God. Before this great work of atonement, the only thing we can offer is thanksgiving. Now, let us become holy saints who understand the heart of God and are zealous for good works.

Overseer Sung-Hyun Kim