Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. ~ Matthew 7:15-23

This truly is a sobering section of scripture. When the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) is surveyed, we find Jesus teaching on the things that truly matter such as putting away sins (symbolically described as cutting off your hand and plucking out your eye), praying to be seen by the Father and not by men, fasting unto God and not unto men, giving as unto the Lord and not to be seen by men, etc.

Jesus gives these examples of what true faith in God is really all about, and does so in contrast to the hypocrisy of appearing religious (or spiritual) before men. It is in this context of real faith in God, as opposed to religious hypocrisy that we read the warning against false prophets, whom Jesus describes as coming in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are devouring wolves.

In particular, Jesus points out the corrupt fruits of these false prophets. If we have listened to Jesus’s previous words in his sermon on the mount, it doesn’t take long to determine what the bad fruit of false prophets actually is. Their motive is hypocrisy, and they are seeking to be seen as men rather than God. They want to draw men to themselves rather than draw them to Christ. They are a tree of corruption, and they do not produce the fruit of a pure and meek disposition that seeks only to please God.

Jesus condemns their fruit by saying, Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. ~ v 21-23

Now, it’s not really clear to me if Jesus is referring to those who follow false prophets, or if he is referring to the false prophets themselves, when he says, then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. I tend to think it applies to both. False prophets are self deceived, and those who follow them are deceived because they don’t consider their fruit as Jesus points out.

The claims of prophecy, casting out devils, and miraculous works is not spiritual fruit. False prophets deceive with these claims. Real fruit consists of our devotion to God and how we treat other people as the sermon of the mount repeatedly addresses. Although there will be some who claim to have done such exploits when they stand before Jesus, it will carry no weight. Only those who know him will enter the Kingdom of God.

The sad truth is, those who are deceived by false prophets will also attempt to prove they should enter God’s Kingdom because of these claims. Yet Jesus knows them who walk with him, and when we walk with Jesus’ prophecy, casting out demons, and the miraculous things pail in comparison to him. When Jesus is at the center, the heart will truly praise and rejoice in the Lord if a miracle happens. When our tree produces corrupt fruit, we boast in prophecy and miracles as if we are something. Therein lies the difference.

I find it interesting that in the two verses prior to the introduction to false prophets which come in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are devouring wolves, Jesus says, Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. ~ v. 13-14 

Jesus himself is the straight gate and narrow way, and when we follow Jesus our devotion to God is sincere from the heart, and there is no boasting or self gratification in the spectacular exploits that false prophets pervert to deceive others with. However, when authentic exploits are experienced, those on the straight path will boast only in the Lord!

A common belief among some Christians is that the Old Testament saints went to a place in the regions of Hell, a placed reserved for the righteous after they died. I recently came across a video that was promoting this view. The person who had made the video said, “according to the Old Testament, everyone who died whether they were righteous or not went to Sheol, a place of darkness and stillness.”

Is this correct? No it is not!

According to the scriptures, Enoch was translated by God because he walked with God and pleased God, and Elijah (who did not die) was taken up into Heaven by a chariot of fire in a whirlwind ~ 2 Kings 2:11. When Jesus was on the Mount of Transfiguration, Moses and Elijah appeared together and talked with him regarding his crucifixion that was soon approaching.

And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias: Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem. ~ Luke 9:30-31

If we know that Elijah went to Heaven, and we do because the scriptures tell us so, it ought not be hard to understand that Moses also went to Heaven because Moses walked with God and was the one through whom God gave the law. Moses did not go back to the dark regions of the underworld after appearing with Elijah and talking with Jesus, because Moses was never there! Instead, Moses remained in the presence of God in Heaven, where he had been since his death. Moses was often in the presence of God while on earth, how much more was he after his death!

When Jesus gave the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, the rich man was taken to hell and Lazarus was taken to Abraham’s bosom where he was comforted. Abraham was not in the torment, or flames, or darkness.

When Jesus was challenged by the Sadducees, who didn’t believe in the resurrection, Jesus told them, “as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.” ~ Matthew 22:31-32

This infers that Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were all alive in the presence of God and not in some dark place in the underworld. When Abraham died, the Bible says Abraham gave up the ghost, and died in a good old age, an old man, and full of years; and was gathered to his people. ~ Genesis 25:8

When Isaac died, the Bible says, Isaac gave up the ghost, and died, and was gathered unto his people, being old and full of days: and his sons Esau and Jacob buried him. ~! Genesis ~ 35:29

When Jacob died, the Bible says, when Jacob had made an end of commanding his sons, he gathered up his feet into the bed, and yielded up the ghost, and was gathered unto his people. ~ Genesis 49:33

There is no evidence anywhere in scripture that Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were somewhere in the dark abode of the underworld from the time of their death until after the death and resurrection of Jesus. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are always spoken of in view of God’s Kingdom and God’s covenant after their deaths. In response to the centurion’s faith in Matthew 8, Jesus declared that many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. ~ v. 11

It makes no sense to think that Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were in the dark regions of the underworld while their memory was being honored by Jesus and God. If Elijah made it into Heaven (and he did), we can be assured Abraham did as well, and so did Isaac, and Jacob, and Moses, and all the saints that walked with God under the Old Testament.

We also have further evidence in the New Testament when the writer of Hebrews speaks of the faith of the Old Testament saints and refers to them as a great cloud of witnesses in Hebrews 12:1. In chapter 11, the writer of Hebrews expounds on the faith of the Old Testament saints. Consider the following from Hebrews 11:

By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable. These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city. ~ Hebrews 11:8-16

Blessings…

John’s gospel places much more emphasis on Jesus’s personal (one on one) ministry. Matthew, Mark, and Luke (the synoptic gospels) tend to place emphasis on Jesus’s public preaching and teachings ministry, and his healings and miracles.

In fact, there are 37 references to preaching in the synoptic gospels. This includes the preaching by Jesus, John the Baptist and Jesus’s disciples. There is mention of preaching in the book of John. We do have references to Jesus teaching in all 4 gospels. Now, I would consider Jesus preaching in John 7, where we read, In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.) ~ v.37-39

In my opinion, that was preaching, but John doesn’t use the word preach to describe it. Either way, my point is, John’s gospel is different in that it’s personal. For example, the emphasis of the synoptic gospels after the resurrection of Jesus is that his followers take the gospel to the nations, however, the emphasis in John, after the resurrection, is that we would know of a surety that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.

And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name. ~ John 20:30-31

Also. John has more emphasis on individuals seeking to know who Jesus is, or enquiring of him rather than crowds coming to hear Jesus preach/teach, and be healed by him as in the synoptic gospels.

In John 1 we have Nathanael encountering Jesus and saying, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel (v. 49). In John 2, we have Jesus attending a wedding and turning the water into wine. The scripture says, When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom (.9).

The servants knew ~ that’s the personal touch that John is emphasizing.

The individual relationship (i.e., the intimate knowledge of who Jesus is ) is one of the big themes in the book of John. All the gospels reveal that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, the Savior of the world, and Lord of glory, but John shows it on a more intimate level. For example, in Matthew you get the Sermon on the Mount as Jesus addressed the multitude. In John you get Nicodemus coming to Jesus by night (John 3).

In John 4 Jesus sits and talks at the well with the woman of Samaria. In John 5, the man at the pool of Bethesda is healed. In John 6, Jesus teaches in such a way that it drives away those who are not committed.

From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life ~ (v .66-68).

I could go on, but I hope you get the picture. The beauty of the gospel of John is that is more of an intimate gospel in which we come face to face with the God in the flesh!

I am a Christian because of Jesus. When I say Jesus, I am talking about the person who lived, died, rose again, and now lives in the presence of God for us. He is alive and he has revealed himself to my heart time and time again over the past 43 years since I first believed.

When I was saved, I came to Jesus. I did not come to church, I didn’t come to theology, and I didn’t come to religion. I came to Jesus. If Jesus had not made himself known to me, I would not waste another moment being a Christian, but I can not deny him.

The revelation of Jesus Christ changes everything, and when Christ is revealed to the heart, your faith can endure anything.

I want you to consider the words of the apostle Paul who was a devout Jewish scholar before his conversion. Paul writes the following in Philippians 3.

But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. ~ Philippians 3:7-15

There is more scripture in the Bible that reveals the living person of Jesus Christ, than any other topic. Yet Jesus is often overlooked. There are entire theological views that don’t have Jesus as the very foundation. Consider for instance the five points of Calvinism. Not a single one of them is rooted in the revelation of the person of Jesus Christ, yet people base their entire Christianity on these.

It’s not just Calvinism, it’s much of Westernized Christianity (the SBC, the Word of Faith, the New Apostlic Reformation, and the list goes on). You cannot simply tack on truth about Jesus and do your own thing, and think you are doing God’s work.,

If the man Jesus is not the foundation of what you are doing for God, you aren’t really doing it for God. You are worshiping him in vain. God has only sanctified that which is in Christ and of Christ. If your aim is not to win Christ and be found in him. You have the wrong motive.

The reason there is so much false doctrine, so many false brethren, and so much abandoning of the Christian faith, is a lack of Jesus. Jesus is the foundational stone that God has laid, and if your faith is built on anything other than this man, Jesus, you are going to grow weary, or become religious, and just a fruitless person, and sin creeps at the door.

Jesus told his disciples without me ye can do nothing.

I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. ~ John 15:1-5

The Christian life is a miserable existence when it’s not founded and rooted in the living Christ.This is why so many become either burned out, hardened, judgmental, political,  religious, and hypocritical. It is why there is so much exposure of sin among clergy and youth Pastors.

They have no fruit of Christ in their lives because they have no roots in Christ. When I say, Christ, I am not talking about theology about Jesus. I am talking about the person of Jesus Christ to whom we are called into fellowship with.

God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. ~ 1 Corinthians 1:9

That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. ~ 1 John 1:3-4

Over the past 43 years I have learned a lot about theology and doctrine. I have also had to change my theology and doctrine at times, but the person of Jesus Christ has been the one constant. I’m not simply referring to words on the pages of the Bible about Jesus, but the living Jesus to whom those words testify. He has been revealed to me by the Holy Spirit time and time again, fellowship with him is why I serve him.

Consider that Paul tells us that as ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. ~ Colossians 2:6-7 

It’s only as the roots of your faith grow in Christ, that the fruit of Christ’s Spirit grows outwardly in your life. The Holy Spirit that came on the Day of Pentecost, is the Spirit of the glorified Christ. He is the Spirit who glorifies Christ to us and in us, and he draws us into the fellowship with Jesus.

In Romans 5 Paul continues on the theme of the righteousness of God which has been revealed in the gospel of Christ.

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ… ~ Romans 5:1

Consider the expression, peace with God. James tells us that the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace. Now that we are justified in Christ, godliness, or a life of righteous living, grows out of the peace we have received. Paul tells the Ephesians the following.

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. ~ Ephesians 2:8-10

In his letters, Paul goes into much detail to explain that righteousness is a gift from God that is imputed to us by believing the gospel and that we are not declared righteous by any human works. There is only one work that we can do that has anything to do with our justification in the sight of God, and that is the work of faith in Jesus!

Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. ~ John 6:28-29

The work of faith, is our standing in the truth of the gospel that we have believed and living according to this faith which has great reward when the Lord comes.

When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day. Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power: That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. ~ 1 Thessalonians 1:10-12

The righteousness we have received in Christ by faith, is a fruit bearing righteousness that produces godly character and holiness in our lives.

But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered to you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. ~ Romans 6:17-23

The fruit unto holiness comes from yielding ourselves to God, who has imputed his righteousness to us through faith in Jesus. Because we are at peace with God, we can now walk in the Spirit, and conform to the likeness of Christ.

Consider Paul’s words on this matter from his letter to the  Galatians.

Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. ~ Galatians 5:1-6

When we live according to the gift of God given to us in Christ Jesus, the fruit of the Spirit produces in us, Christ-like character. 

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. ~ Galatians 5:22-25

Living in the Spirit is a reference to our standing before God in and through Christ. Walking in the Spirit is a reference to how we live our lives in our relationships with others. 

Notice that all the fruit of the Spirit mentioned above have to do with the transformation of our character. When our works and service to God come from love, peace, and joy, they glorify God. When they come from a heart of patience, gentleness, goodness, faith,  and humility, they glorify God.

These qualities are the fruit of God’s Spirit in us, and Paul refers to those in whom the fruit of the Spirit are, as spiritual.

Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. ~ Galatians 6:1-2

Paul’s teachings on justification by faith should never be thought of as something independent of God’s work to conform us to the image of Christ. The work God has finished for us in Christ, brings us into the work God wants to do in us through Christ!

God never intended for us to be fruitless as believers, but rather he desires that we bear much fruit for his glory, and that fruit grows out of the soil of the gift of righteousness we have received from God and is sown in the peace we have with God through our Lord Jesus Christ! 

For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.  ~ Romans 4:3

In Romans 1:17 Paul says that the righteousness of God is revealed in the gospel of Jesus Christ, and in 3:21-26 he begins to unpack the revelation of the righteousness of God that has now been revealed through the gospel.

But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. ~ Romans 3:21-26 

For the rest of chapter 3 Paul continues to contend how justification is by faith and not by the works of the Mosaic law. By the time we arrive at Romans 4:3 (cited above), Paul has begun to show how righteousness was imputed to Abraham by believing God. Abraham’s faith was specifically this – He believed God!

Paul hasn’t moved on from his theme of God’s righteousness manifested through the gospel, he’s expounding on it more in detail. Believing the gospel is believing God. Believing in Jesus who died and rose again, is believing God.

What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?
For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin. ~ Romans 4:1-8

Now consider verses 20 -25

He (Abraham) staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

Take note that Paul speaks of believing in him who raised Jesus from the dead. When we believe in Jesus (believe he died for our sins, and rose again) we are believing the testimony which God has set forth about himself in the person of his Son. And just as Abraham believed God and it was imputed to him as righteousness, even so we are justified in the sight of God and through Christ by believing the gospel, wherein the righteousness of God is revealed!

The one who has faith in Jesus believes God, just as Abraham believed God, because God’s testimony of himself is revealed in his Son.

For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. ~ Matthew 26: 28

And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. ~ Hebrews 9:22

The word remission is a word that we see several times in the New Testament, and it has to do with the forgiveness of sins. In the Old Testament we have numerous accounts of God forgiving sin, and in the New Testament we see Jesus forgiving sin before he died on the cross. It is therefore fair to ask, If God forgave sin in the Old Testament, and Jesus forgave sin in the new, why did Jesus need to be sacrificed on the cross so that our sins could be forgiven?

It is because remission is forgiveness on a legal or judicial level, and not just on a personal offense level. God is a forgiving God because of his love and mercy. However, he is also the Just Judge whose law we have all broken with our sins.

The Greek word translated as remission is aphesis, meaning dismissal, release, pardon. Its usage has to do with, a sending away, a letting go, a release, pardon, complete forgiveness.

In the Strong’s Concordance Word studies helps, it has the same linguistic derivation as aphíēmi, meaning to “send away, forgive”, releasing someone from obligation or debt.

When Jesus died on the cross God dealt with our sins on a divine judicial level, by setting Jesus forth as an atonement sacrifice for all to behold. It’s interesting that the chief priests, the elders, and the scribes wanted to murder Jesus secretly, but because of God’s sovereign wisdom, it did not happen that way. Paul told the Galatians, Oh, foolish Galatians! Who has cast an evil spell on you? For the meaning of Jesus Christ’s death was made as clear to you as if you had seen a picture of his death on the cross. ~ Galatians 3:1 NLT

God did not allow those who put Jesus to death to hide the affects of our sins. God set him forth for all to see, and Jesus crucified is the the scales of justice by which God judges every man. Paul declares in Acts that God has appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. ~ Acts 17:31

For those who have faith in Jesus, God remits their sins and he is just in doing so, granting them full pardon and justification in his sight unto eternal life, and this is what the remission of sins is about!

If you were to do an internet search of the word propitiation, you would likely find that it is used by some to support their belief that Jesus suffered under the wrath of God. I’d like to present to you why I believe those who do so are being careless with the scriptures, by considering how the scriptures actually use it.

Now, before we look at the meaning of the word propitiation, let’s take a look at the context of every time it is used in the New Testament. Since not every translation of the Bible uses this word, we’ll look at the texts where it is used in the King James Version of the Bible: Romans 3:25, 1 John 2:2, and 1 John 4:10

Let’s consider first, it’s use in Romans 3.

But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. ~ Romans 3:21-26

Notice that the overwhelming thought here is the righteousness of God, and justification. Notice also that Christ is said to be a propitiation through faith in his blood. The word propitiation (whatever its meaning) is applicable to us through our faith in the blood of Jesus. It can also be read as through faith, by his blood. Either way, propitiation (whatever it means) is mentioned as something that Christ is for us, in connection to our faith.

Now let’s consider how it is used in 1 John.

This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. ~ 1 John 1:5:-2:2

Notice the mention of God’s light, fellowship, and cleansing from all unrighteousness. Notice also the use of the words faithful and just, and the word advocate as a description of Jesus Christ the the righteous One. John says, Jesus Christ the righteous One is the propitiation (whatever it means) for our sins and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

Now, let’s consider the use of the word propitiation in 1 John 4.

Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. ~ 1 John 4:7-11

The word love is mentioned eleven times in the 5 verses referenced above. Whatever propitiation means, God sent Jesus to be that for our sins as an expression of his love, and because of this we ought to love one another. In other words, God’s love in sending Jesus to be our propitiation is the love we are to follow in our relationships with one another.

So what is the meaning of propitiation? Well, in the hellenistic world of the ancient Greeks it does mean appeasement, and a simple definition from a dictionary would likely support this idea. Thus, some will appeal to its use in the Bible as justification for their position that God poured out his wrath on Jesus. However, the Bible wasn’t written with the hellenistic view of false god’s in mind when it describes our relationship with the One True God who sent his Son.

The word that is translated propitiation in the three texts we are considering is the Greek word hilasterion. This Greek word that is used by the Septiguint to describe the mercy seat. The Septuagint is the Greek translation of the Old Testament, and is believed to be the translation often used during the time of Jesus. In Hebrews 9:5 the mercy seat in the tabernacle of Moses is mentioned by the use of the Greek word hilasterion, translated elsewhere as propitiation in the KJV.

The mercy seat was the lid, or covering of the Ark of the Covenant in the Old Testament. Inside of the Ark of the Covenant were the tables of stone containing the Ten Commandments which God had given through Moses. Each year on the day of Atonement, the blood of the sin offering was applied to the Mercy Seat, and the sins of the people (their breaking of God’s law) was atoned for. This is the idea that is behind the Greek word hilasterion, translated propitiation, when it is used in the New Testament.

Now, let’s look again at the 3 uses of the word propitiation as referenced above. Let’s consider if it makes sense that it is referring to God’s wrath being poured out on Jesus, or does it make more sense in connection to God’s mercy and forgiveness for our sins.

First, consider Romans 3. Jesus is our propitiation through faith in his blood. Should we understand that to mean that Jesus is the object of God’s wrath through our faith, or Jesus is the atoning sacrifice through whom we are forgiven through our faith?

Jesus is the propitiation through our faith.

Does our faith have anything to do with God’s wrath being poured out? Certainly not. But our faith does have something to do with our being forgiven and justified by God. So Christ is our atoning sacrifice, whose blood takes away our sins, by faith! This, the context supports.

Secondly, let’s again consider 1 John 2. Jesus is said to be our propitiation in connection with being our advocate with the Father for the forgiveness of sins, and not ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

Is Jesus our advocate when we sin, because of God’s wrath? Or is Jesus our advocate when we sin because of his atoning sacrifice? Remember, John says that it is Jesus Christ, the righteous One who is our advocate with the Father, not Jesus Christ who was condemned by God as the Unrighteous One. This is why the idea that Jesus somehow became unrighteous through the transference of our sins and guilt on the cross, ought to be rejected. God doesn’t pour out wrath on the righteous, and it is Jesus Christ, the righteous One who laid down his life for our sins. Therefore, God is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us of all unrighteousness when we confess our sins.

Finally, let’s consider the word propitiation in 1 John 4, one more time. The overwhelming thought is God’s love. Because he loved us, God sent his Son to be a propitiation for us. Thus we ought to love one another with the same kind of love. Now, did God demonstrate his love for us by taking out his wrath on Jesus? If so, how does that serve as the example by which we are to show love to others? Earlier in chapter 3, John says, Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. ~ 1 John 3:16

God’s love was expressed by Jesus laying down his life for us, and this example is what we are to follow as we are called to love others as God loved us. God’s love for us wasn’t expressed by his satisfying his anger or wrath. We are not called to be people of wrath. We are called to put away all anger and wrath. We are called to be long-suffering, loving, kind, merciful, and gracious – all which are descriptions of God in connection to Christ’s redeeming work on the cross.

The word propitiation should be understood as atoning sacrifice, in view of Jesus laying down his life as the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Jesus did this to demonstrate God’s love, mercy, and grace towards us, and because Jesus was and is righteous, God declares us righteous through faith in him. In this way, Jesus is our advocate with the Father, and in this way, God can be just in justifying those who have broken his law!

Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. ~ Romans 3:24-26

These verses contain the answer, from the perspective of God’s justice, as to why Jesus died on the cross. The New Testament goes into much detail to tell us that Jesus died for us because of God’s love, mercy, and grace.

But what about God’s justice? Where does God’s justice fit into the equation? Let’s go through the the text above and unpack it somewhat. First notice the word justified.

Being justified…

Justified is a judicial term. In Christ we are justified, but how?

… freely by his grace…

Our justification in the sight of God is a gift given to us by God’s grace.

… through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus …

The free gift of grace that justifies us comes through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, i.e, his finished work on the cross.

Whom God set forth…

God set Jesus forth, or presented Jesus to us

… to be a propitiation…

Propitiation in scripture means an atoning sacrifice, a covering for sin, a mercy seat. It does not mean an act of appeasement as it does in pagan sacrifices to appease their gods.

… through faith in his blood … 

Jesus is the atoning sacrifice for our sins through faith in his blood. This text can also be read as, through his blood, by faith. As the one whom God set forth, or presented, Jesus is the atoning sacrifice for our sins through his blood, whom we trust by faith.

… for the remission of sins that are past …

This is where we really begin to get into the judicial side of the cross. God freely forgives sin, but remission in this sense is the cancellation of all the charges that were against us for breaking God’s law. Consider Paul’s words from the book of Colossians:

And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross… ~ Colossians 2:13-14

Our sins are forgiven on both a personal level, and a judicial level. God forgives our sins on a personal level because he is a merciful, loving God. He remits our sins on a judicial level by declaring his own righteousness through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus. Paul tells us, But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; even the righteousness of God which is by faith in Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe… ~ Romans 3:21-22

Faith in Jesus declares God’s righteousness. Thus the righteous of the law is fulfilled through faith in Jesus. And, as Paul says to the Corinthians, God hath made him who to be sin (a sin offering of atonement) for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. In Christ, we are the display of God’s own righteous act that he accomplished through the redemptive work of Christ Jesus our Lord.

… through the forbearance of God…

Through his forbearance (his patience and long-suffering), not wrath.

To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness…

Through his forbearance, God declares his own righteousness through the atoning sacrifice of his Son.

… that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

Do you see it?!

God set forth Jesus as the atoning sacrifice for sin, so that he could be Just, in justifying the one who has faith in Jesus! Hallelujah !!!!!!