Exhortation of the Atonement
Sometimes we can encounter individuals in church settings who struggle with their spiritual condition. Repeatedly, we may hear echoes of their sinful condition and their real struggles to break free from the grip of sin, shame, and guilt. Many people suffer in the devil’s camp, in their thoughts or imagination, feeling haunted, ashamed, and condemned by their past life.
This spiritual crisis could be related to their stage of spiritual growth. Perhaps they are new Christians who have little understanding of the gospel. Or they may be older Christians who lack an understanding of the atonement and its power to forgive, impute righteousness, justify, and give a new identity in Christ that completely removes the shame of the past.
In situations like this, the only thing we can do is consistently point people to the hope and power of the cross. The exhortation of the atonement that we read in the First Epistle of John (2:1–2, NKJV) offers profound theological insight into God’s camp of freedom and forgiveness. Let’s dive into some exegesis of the text here. We will focus on four key explanations along with two theological errors.
First Epistle of John 2:1-2 “My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. v2 And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.”
Advocate: When the elderly Apostle John writes this letter, he is not writing to the kids in the church when he says “little children.” The message here is for those who are Christians and are still struggling to comprehend the message of the cross. They need to have this assurance that there is forgiveness of all sins. Also, note here from the text that Jesus Himself is the Advocate for their sins. Apostle John is purposefully using legal language in 1 John 2:1 to help us all see that Jesus pleads and defends us regarding our sins. He intercedes for us (Romans 8:34 NKJV). Not just that, but He is also our Great High Priest who sympathizes with us and brings us boldly to the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:14–16 NKJV).
Propitiation: The second important word here in the text that will help us understand the work of the Atonement is propitiation (1 John 2:2 NKJV). What does that mean? It means that the wrath of God was satisfied on the cross through His Son Jesus Christ, the perfect Son of God who came into the world and became flesh. He had no sin and therefore became the perfect propitiation for sin, satisfying the wrath of God. “He Himself is the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 2:2 NKJV).
Why was there a need to satisfy the wrath of God? It is because of God’s holy nature. Prophet Isaiah helps us see that: “Holy, holy, holy” (Isaiah 6:3 NKJV). So it is natural that God’s wrath comes against all sin, not because of uncontrolled emotions or anger problems, but because God’s nature is perfectly holy. “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness” (Romans 1:18 NKJV) ). So we need to understand that Christ Jesus died on the cross first and foremost for God, to satisfy His wrath against all ungodliness.
Expiation: At the same time, the love of God was also revealed in the atonement. (Romans 5:8 NKJV ). Through expiation, the sins of the world can be forgiven. Those who repent and believe in Christ Jesus will be saved. “Repent and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:15 NKJV).
Redemption: Jesus’ divine sacrifice was not the blood of goats, bulls, cows, doves, or pigeons. Even in the Old Testament, these sacrifices were symbolic. They never had the power to truly forgive sin. “For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins” (Hebrews 10:4 NKJV). There is no inherent or intrinsic value in the blood of animals. But the blood of Jesus was pure and holy, the very blood of the Son of God, born of the virgin Mary, living a sinless life, and crucified not because the Romans simply succeeded, but because His crucifixion was ordained from eternity. “He was delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God” (Acts 2:23 NKJV).
Theological Errors
Limited Atonement: Jesus’ crucifixion should be biblically concluded as a propitiation for the whole world without exception. Thus, the doctrine of Limited Atonement should be considered incompatible with Jesus Christ’s free offer for all humanity to be saved by believing in Him as their Lord and Savior. The gospel that leads to salvation should be understood as Unlimited Atonement, an offer of salvation for all humanity.
Ransom Theory of Atonement: On the other hand, the Ransom Theory of Atonement also has an error. The price paid on the cross to set sinners free from bondage was paid to God the Father, not to Satan. Men and women never sinned against Satan but against God. Therefore, Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross satisfied the wrath of God against all who will repent and believe in Christ.
Our Response
Can we be confident in encouraging others about their forgiveness of sin? Can we be confident that even though many people have horribly messed up, there is still love and grace for them and no condemnation? Can we have this confidence that the Cross has the power to wash them clean from their sins? This is a message for the “little children”, new believers or even older Christians who may still be struggling to comprehend the message of the atonement. We need to give them this assurance that there is forgiveness of sin, and that Jesus Himself is the Advocate. Apostle John is on purpose using legal language that reveals that Jesus defends us! He intercedes for us (Romans 8:34 NKJV), and He is our Great High Priest who sympathizes and brings us boldly to the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:14–16 NKJV).
Maybe someone might think, “But I have a pool of sins.” But the Cross. Maybe someone may say, “I have cheated, stolen, murdered, or done things that make me guilty and shameful because my past is horrifying.” But let us encourage them and pray for them; “be gone, Satan”, the blood of Jesus has cleansed them from their sins.” and point them to the power of the Cross unto salvation. Leave them with this confidence that all the guilt, shame, and everything they have gone through has been taken care of because of Jesus’ righteous blood.
Prayer and Reflection: Because of the power of the redemptive atonement, not only are our sins forgiven, but our identity is completely transformed. We are not just forgiven sinners, we become the sons and daughters of God “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God” (1 John 3:1). Not only that, but we are also made kings and priests in His kingdom “To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father” (Revelation 1:5–6). Our identity uniquely changes, we become sons and daughters, and kings and priests, because of Christ’s redemptive work.
“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1 NKJV)
