What God Did About Our Sin
Romans 3:25 ESV
[25] whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins.
NIV: 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,2 because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished—3
NKJV: whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed,
Understanding the Context
When we read Romans chapter 3, we see a clear picture of ourselves – we have all sinned and fallen short of what God intends for us. It's a tough reality, but it's the starting point for understanding the incredible good news that follows. Right after explaining our universal problem of sin, Paul tells us how God, in His amazing goodness and perfect fairness, dealt with this problem through Jesus Christ. Verse 25 is right at the heart of this explanation.
What is Propitiation?
This is a big word (hilastērion), but it essentially means that Jesus' death was the sacrifice that satisfied God's just anger or wrath against our sin. Think about it like this: our sin earned a just penalty, and God's holiness requires that penalty to be paid. But instead of us paying it, God Himself provided Jesus to be the payment. It's like an ancient sacrifice that covered sin, but Jesus' sacrifice is the ultimate one that truly deals with the root issue.
By His Blood
This highlights that a life was given. In the Old Testament, blood sacrifices were necessary for atonement, pointing forward to the perfect sacrifice that would come. Jesus' blood shed on the cross is the ultimate payment for our sins.
To Be Received by Faith
The amazing part is that this incredible act of love and justice from God is received by faith. We don't earn it; we simply receive it by trusting in Jesus and what He did for us.
To Show God's Righteousness
This shows us something crucial about God's character. He isn't just letting sin slide. He is perfectly just, and sin must be dealt with. By providing Jesus as the sacrifice, God shows that He is both just (He punishes sin) and the One who makes us just when we believe in Jesus.
In His Divine Forbearance He Had Passed Over Former Sins
"Forbearance" is about God's incredible patience. Before Jesus came, God, in His patience, didn't immediately bring the full judgment that sin deserved. He was, in a sense, "passing over" those sins, knowing that the full and final payment would come through Jesus.
Applying This to Our Lives
This passage has profound implications for all of us:
We Can Have Peace with God. Because of what Jesus did, we can have peace with God. Our sin no longer has to separate us from Him, because the penalty has been paid. This peace is received by faith.
We Are Made Right with God. We are made right with God not because of anything good we've done, but because of what Christ did for us. This gives us a secure standing before God.
We See God's Character. This verse beautifully shows us God's love, justice, and patience. Understanding this helps us trust Him more deeply.
We Are Called to Respond. Since God has done all of this for us, our response should be one of gratitude and faith. We are called to receive this gift and live lives that honor Him.
Prayer
Dear God,
We are in awe of Your perfect righteousness and Your incredible love for us. Thank You for sending Jesus to be the propitiation for our sins, satisfying the just penalty we deserved. Thank You that by His blood, received through faith, we are reconciled to You. Help us to walk in the freedom and peace that this brings. May our lives reflect the depth of our gratitude for this amazing gift. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Additional Thoughts
Romans 3:25 is a cornerstone of the gospel message. It helps us understand the seriousness of sin and the amazing grace of God in providing a solution. The word "propitiation" might not be common in everyday conversation, but the concept is vital: God's wrath against sin was satisfied by Christ's sacrifice. This truth should fill our hearts with immense gratitude and motivate us to share this good news with others.
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Jesu
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