Read 1 John 4-5. Propitiation is another of those theological words that are scarcely found in scripture but are so important. John uses it twice in this letter (2:2 and 4:10). What does it mean and why is it so important?
God is holy and just and demands that sin (unrighteousness, unholiness) be punished. (Romans 6:23). Propitiation is the satisfying of that demand. God knew that no mere man could ever satisfy that demand. It would require more than sinful humanity could ever do. So, He sent forth His Son to become the propitiation for our sins. By His suffering and death, He Alone can bring us into a right relationship with God the Father. That, my friends, was, is, and always will be the ultimate act of love. It was generous, sacrificial, and complete.
1 John 4:7-12 reminds us of how great God's love is for us. But it also challenges those of us who are His children to love each other in the same way: generously, sacrificially, completely without pre-conditions. Decades later, as he writes these words, John reminds us of what Jesus said the night before His crucifixion: "I am giving you a new commandment: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you must love one another. BY THIS all people will know that you are My disciples, IF you have love for one another." (John 13:34)
This love is not akin to like nor is it a warm feeling of affection. It is a deep, abiding concern for the spiritual, physical, emotional, and mental well-being of our fellow followers of Jesus. It is demonstrated with more action than words (I John 3:16-18).
So! How is your "love life?" Are you loving others as God loves you?
