June 18
I Kings 21-22
Psalm 73:1-3
Proverbs 16:6-7
Acts 14
Atonement
“By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the Lord one turns away from evil.” Proverbs 16:6 ESV
God, in His infinite mercy and love has provided atonement for our iniquity, our sin. In this verse in Proverbs, years before Jesus’ death on the cross, Solomon foretells of God’s plan of atonement. The righteousness of God makes atonement for sin necessary, but His steadfast love and faithfulness prompted Him to provide the way of salvation for us. This passage has been misunderstood by many to mean that by showing love and mercy to others, we can somehow make atonement for our own sin. That is not what this verse means. We cannot do anything to atone for our sin. We are sinful creatures and our best attempts at righteousness fail. Isaiah 64:6 tells us, “All our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.” (NIV) “All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; But the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him.” Isaiah 53:6 (NASB1995) “And He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds, you were healed.” I Peter 2:24 (NASB1995) When we were unable to help ourselves, at the moment of our need, Christ died for us, although we were living against God. “Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:7-8 (NIV)
It is in recognizing our own sin and our need for atonement that we can come before a righteous, holy, merciful, and loving God. And the recognition of our condition should prompt in us a fear and reverence for the One who would be justified to leave us in our pitiful state but chose to sacrifice Himself instead to provide for our salvation. This respect and fear should compel us to turn away from evil. While we cannot be perfect, we should flee from sin whenever we are tempted and seek to please Him in all that we do. Appreciation for all He has done for us and recognition of His power and might should be incentive enough to cause us to stay away from sinful situations, and to spur us to confession and repentance whenever we stray.
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