SCRIPTURE
“God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood - to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished - he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.” Romans 3:25-26
SPOTLIGHT
Are you at odds with God or at one? One of the things Easter reminds the world of is the need for atonement. Atonement simply means, "the action of making something right for a wrong or injury." Everyone needs atonement from God. Are you at odds with God, or at one with Him? To be at odds with God, is to disagree with Him and even oppose Him, perhaps by ignoring Him. To be at one with God is to be in complete agreement, connected, and most comfortable in His presence. Let me explain.
God did not create man and woman to be at odds with Him. He created them in His image, or likeness. Before Adam and Eve exercised their power to choose to sin, and yielded to Satan's temptation, they had a close, personal relationship with their Creator. All of that was lost when they chose to walk away from God's design for their lives. Then they became at odds with God. Now they had a sinful nature rather than a Godly one.
God chose to forgive. To do that, God had to give His Son to atone, or die for man's rebellion. Please refer to the Scripture text above. God did not want to be at odds with man even though man had willfully disobeyed Him. Our loving God wanted to be “at one” with His highest form of creation. [See II Corinthians 5:21]. Jesus became man's atonement. John the Baptist recognized this. [See John 1:29].
Jesus Christ makes it possible for man to take on God's image/likeness once again. Man can be at one with His Creator. First, he has to admit to being separated from God because of personal sin. Then he has to believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross for his personal sin. Finally, he has to confess this personally to Jesus Christ, and decide to follow Him. Then man is once again right with God, and no longer at odds.
Are you at odds with God, or are you at one with God? In his book "Learning To Walk With God," Charlie Riggs tells the story about William Tyndale, [1494-1536], who translated the Bible into English. Tyndale faced difficulty in finding a word to describe what Jesus Christ did to provide man the opportunity to be right with God, his Creator. "Finding no suitable word, he joined two simple words, "at," and "one," to make "atone.” This gives, in the etymology of "atonement," a clue to the Bible's teaching of salvation by reconciliation." [Pg. 5].
I Peter 1:18-21 states, "For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver, or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times FOR YOUR SAKE. Through Him you believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and glorified Him, AND SO YOUR FAITH AND HOPE ARE IN GOD."
Are you at odds with God, or at one with Him? God is not at odds with you! He gave His Son to make atonement for you. To be at one with God you must admit your sinful nature, believe Jesus died on the cross to atone for your sin, and confess Jesus Christ as your personal Savior and Lord.
Enjoy life like never before by not being at odds with your Creator. Celebrate Easter the way it should be celebrated. Why not pray to Jesus right now? Then you will not be at odds with God, but you will be at one with the One Who loves you the most.
If you choose to agree for the first time in your life, please let me know.
SOMETHING TO DO
Take a piece of paper and a pen and vertically write the word, ATONEMENT. Now write a word, or phrase, which will help you to remember it’s meaning.
A - stands for ALL PEOPLE
T - stands for…
O
N
E
M
E
N
T
SOUL TIME PRAYER
Thank You Heavenly Father, that I can be at one with You and not at odds with You. Thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus Christ, to die for my sins. Thank You Jesus Christ, that You voluntarily and willingly came to make ATONEMENT on the cross for me. Thank You Holy Spirit, that You caused me to see the truth and now live within me and empower me. In the name of God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit, I pray. AMEN.