Making Amends

I John 2:2 “He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.”

Have you ever goofed up in a relationship? Really? Me too. More than once – okay, more than twice, even – I’ve had to admit that I’ve done something really dumb, causing damage to an important relationship. When that happens, I have to figure out how to make amends.

make peace

To atone means to make amends for something, to reconcile, to bring into harmony or unity. Atonement becomes necessary when a wrong has been committed, and things are out of harmony. Because we are all sinful, we are all out of harmony with God. And by ourselves, we have no way of reconciling the situation, because we continue to be sinful!

God cannot, will not tolerate sin. But He is merciful and loving. He looked down and saw us in our pitiful state. He knew that reconciliation was needed, and so He sent His perfect, sinless Son. Jesus did for us what we could not do for ourselves. He made atonement for us, through His death. He paid the price, and provided a way of reconciliation with God.

The emphasis on this verse is not just what Christ did for us as individuals, but what He did for the entire world. “God so loved the world that He gave His One and Only Son!” (Jn.3:16). There is not a person, not a race of people, not a group in this world He does not love and will not save through the precious blood of His Son. That means that He loves and will save you too!

Dear Father, Thank You for sending Jesus to be my atoning sacrifice. Thank You that I can now live in harmony with You.

Amen

6 Responses to Making Amends

  1. April 13, 2009 #

    Hallelujah! Christ’s forgiveness is available to all who will accept it. To all who will turn to the cross.

    Thanks, Renae. I hope you and your family enjoyed a wonderful Easter.

    Jean

  2. April 13, 2009 #

    Thanks, Jean. Yes, we had a wonderful Easter. I hope yours was great, too!

  3. April 13, 2009 #

    So thankful He paid the price.. so thankful for His great love!

  4. April 13, 2009 #

    Me too, Cheryl!

  5. April 13, 2009 #

    Simple and clear…one of the best explanations I’ve read, Renae! It is a blessing to me.

  6. April 13, 2009 #

    Thanks, Jeanette! That word “atonement” can be pretty lofty. It helped me when I better understood the definition. 🙂

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