T he instruction of the Christian faith has been greatly hindered by the death of great words. In Romans 3:24-25, we have three great words – justification, redemption and propitiation. And all three words have to do with soteriology (the doctrine of salvation). Paul’s writings in Romans gives the clearest and most thorough presentation of these words. Justification is the act of being pronounced righteous. God assumes the position of the righteous Judge by which He does not impute to the sinner the penalty for his sin, but by grace imputes to him righteousness by faith in Christ Jesus. The idea that righteousness can be imputed by faith in a Person and not through the Law goes against the human understanding of fairness. Redemption means deliverance by the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ [Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14]. There are two aspects of redemption; redemption from sin [Ephesians 1:7] and redemption unto glory [Ephesians 1:14]. The picture is that sin has and will hold us captive, but for our Lord Jesus Christ. Sin, therefore, has no dominion over redeemed sinners. However, the full and final release from sin will not be realised until we see our Saviour face to face. The word propitiation is also translated as “mercy seat” [Hebrews 9:5]. It is closely linked to sacrifice. We ought not to think of propitiation as the turning aside of God’s wrath by anything that we do. Rather it is as Paul puts it – “propitiation through faith in His blood.” It is God Himself – being perfectly righteous and just – satisfying His wrath against sinners by demanding the sacrificial death of His only begotten Son. Do you realise that Christ is your Ransomer and has actually shed His blood for you as your ransom? ... Do you realise that this Christ who has thus shed His blood for you is Himself your God. – B. B. Warfield
LESSON
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.
THOUGHT
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