“So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.” (Romans 5:11 NLT)
When I think of atonement what immediately comes to mind is: “at-one-ment” because that’s exactly what atonement does, it makes us one with our Savior. In 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 Paul elaborates on exactly what this means when he writes: “So we have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view. At one time we thought of Christ merely from a human point of view. How differently we know Him now! This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to Himself through Christ.”
Being made right with God is an act of God received by faith by anyone willing to admit they can’t possibly save themselves, in the sense, they cannot EVER earn their right standing with God, thus never enter heaven. Rob Turner gives us insight when he writes: “Trying to atone for your sin is like scooping out the ocean with a teaspoon. Which do you want to hear? ‘Get to work’ or ‘it’s already done’?”
The same word that is translated “atonement,” can also be translated “reconciliation”, and means: “adjustment of a difference, reconciliation, restoration to favor,” which in the New Testament means “restoration of the favor of God to sinners that repent and put their trust in the expiatory death of Christ.” “Expiatory” means to do something on someone else’s behalf, as Jesus died, not for His own sins, but for the sins of all those who would repent and turn to Him for eternal life.
Atonement results when we admit we don’t have it all together, will never get it all together and must depend on the completed work of our Savior on Calvary’s Cross in our place and on our behalf. When that happens, the Lord extends His hand and offers us a forgiveness we haven’t earned or deserved on the sheer basis of His grace – His free, unmerited, and underserved favor.
Have you taken that step? Have you accepted the Lord’s offer of atonement, and found new life in Christ alone by faith alone? It’s literally transformational! It will change your life in positive ways you never dreamed possible. The beautiful words of Helen H. Lemmel come to mind when she penned the words of the hymn “Turn Your Eyes upon Jesus.” “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face, And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace.”
Having a right relationship with Jesus is more than a proposition, it’s an eternal friendship that results in our world being turned right-side-up. We can finally see ourselves and everything else in their proper perspective. Giving the Lord Jesus first place in our lives gives us guidance in ordering every other area of our lives. Family, work, play, church, friendships and everything else takes their proper place in light of our love for and devotion to the Lord Jesus.
If you’ve never made that decision or believe you’ve wandered too far, please tap on this highlighted link and allow Ron Hutchcraft to walk you through a very understandable explanation of why we need a Savior and how to begin a relationship with Him. You’ll be eternally grateful that you did.
Food for thought.
Blessings, Ed 😊
Walking With Jesus 