According to the dictionary atonement is “the
act of making amends for a wrong or injury”. In scripture we learn that God
ordained ceremonial services that ran on an annual schedule. These services were
tangible representation of how sin would be removed from their individual lives
and the collective community (Leviticus 16; 23). Because sin is corrupting and ultimately
kills, because it separates us from the Life Giver, it is vital that they be removed
(Genesis 2:17; Ezekiel 18:20). Ideally, not sinning at all would ensure that its
adverse effects would not be experienced; however, Adam sinned, and we’ve all
sinned, therefore, in order to regain connection to the Life Giver we need to
engage in the process of atonement (Romans 2:23; Leviticus 23:23-32).
As sinners, we know that atonement is
necessary to restore our relationship with God; but how do we accomplish this?
The reality is we could never pay the debt for the sins we commit – this would mean
death (Roman 6:23). God made a promise to humanity to take that consequence,
and He did by dying on Calvary (Genesis 3:15; John 19:30; Romans 5:19; Galatians
1:4; Hebrews 9:26; 1John 2:2). So how do we gain the benefit of this gift? John
the Baptist, Jesus, and all the Apostles preached the how – “Repent” – The central
theme of Jesus’ ministry on earth, and the commission He left the apostles with,
was to preach repentance from sin, and adherence to His commandments (Matthew
3:2; 4:17; 28:19, 20; Mark 1:15; Luke 24:47; Acts 2:38; 26:20).
Well how does one repent? Do we merely give
a verbal acknowledgement of our wrongs and keep on in the path? Do we make
excuses and give reasons why the offence was committed? Or is there to be a
change made? A prime example of repentance can be found in the story of Zacchaeus,
the tax collector (Luke 19:1-10). Zacchaeus was a thief and when he encountered
the Saviour he repented of his sins and pledged to repay all that he had stolen
with interest. As a result of Zacchaeus’ thorough repentance Jesus declared, “This
day is salvation come to this house”. True repentance is manifested in genuine
heartfelt remorse demonstrated in our actions without attempts at self-justification.
How do we know what is appropriate? In Physics
we learn that ‘for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction’. Scripture
also teaches that what you sow you’ll reap. The reality is reaping usually yields
more than was sowed (Hosea 8:7; Galatians 6:7). If you steal you pay back with
interest, if you lie you retract with loss of trustworthiness, etc. But what if
your crimes are multifaceted like King David’s big sin (2 Samuel 11; 12). David’s
sin brought punishment directly from God, his home didn’t see peace again until
after his death (2 Samuel 13-15; 1 Kings 1:1-40). How did David take his punishment
– like the man of God he was – he did not complain, he did not beg for the
punishment to be removed, he did not attempt to manipulate situations, he
accepted God’s punishment for his selfish act, and continued praising the name
of the Lord (2 Samuel 16:5-14; 1 Samuel 13:14; Psalm 51; Acts 13:22).
Does David’s suffering or Zacchaeus’ need
to make restitution mean they were not forgiven? On the contrary, because they
recognized their sins and accepted willingly the consequences for them,
forgiveness was immediate. Being forgiven does not mean that the natural
effects of one’s wrongs are not experienced. Being forgiven means you are not
stuck in that vicious cycle of sin and guilt and sin to cover guilt and guilt
over sin. When you are forgiven you are free, free from the sin that brought
the guilt in the first place (Romans 4:6-8). In popular culture there is a move
toward the idea that being forgiven means you don’t have to suffer the
consequences for your actions. This is unbiblical, ungodly and an utter falsehood
directly from the heart of the enemy.
Some believe that because they have ceased
the sinful act which caused harm to others, that all is well, and restitution is
unnecessary. This flies in the face of God’s justice. God is both merciful and just.
Individuals, organizations, and nations need to be aware that they are
responsible for the entire history of their actions and will be accountable to
God for all their choices (1 Samuel 15:2, 3; Revelation 18:4, 5). If you have committed
some wrong in the sight of God toward your fellow man make amends, repent. If
your organization or company has grown at the expense of others, pay your
debts, make a public acknowledgement of corporate wrongs. If your nation has
harmed others, built and sustained itself on the victimization and degradation of
its citizenry, and the citizenry of other nations, make an outcry for
restitution, because judgement is sure (Exodus 20:5, 6). No one who benefits
from or condones such activity, within their family, business, or country, whether
actively or passively, will escape retribution (Exodus 22:21-24; Joshua 7:16-26).
God bless,
