 The Spiritual Reality Behind The Feast of Atonement
Summary
Messiah is our atonement for sin. His obedient death on the cross reconciled man back to God, restoring the fullness of the covenant relationship lost in the Garden of Eden due to sin, disobedience and assertion of independence from God. His sacrifice satisfied God’s wrath.
As we have been united together in the likeness of His death, we have, likewise, been united with Him in the likeness of His resurrection. We, therefore, have a new capacity to resist the tendencies to sin. We have the indwelling of God’s Holy Spirit. As a result, sin no longer has dominion over the believer, for we are under the law of grace. Therefore, it is up to us to walk in the newness of this new life in Messiah. If we stumble, we repent, and receive Messiah’s forgiveness without retribution or condemnation.
Freedom from the guilt of sin, however, does not give us license to sin. In fact in Messiah, we have been raised to a higher standard of moral excellence and accountability. Therefore, we must “submit to God” and “resist the devil” by drawing near to God, purifying our heart, and apprehending the “mind of Messiah.”
(James 4:7 and Philippians 2:5) In addition, by reckoning to be dead to sin and alive to God, we can serve our fellow man in the “newness of the Spirit.”
(Romans 6:5-6 and 7:6)
In gratefulness for Messiah’s love and precious promises, Peter, therefore, charges believers to cultivate character traits above and beyond basic faith: virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love.
For if you have these qualities in abundance, they keep you from being barren and unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah. 9 Indeed, whoever lacks them is blind, so shortsighted that he forgets that his past sins have been washed away. 10 Therefore, brothers, try even harder to make your being called and chosen a certainty. For if you keep doing this, you will never stumble. 11 Thus you will be generously supplied with everything you need to enter the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Deliverer, Yeshua the Messiah. (2 Peter 1:8-11 JNT)
Life Application Questions
Having received Messiah’s atonement, how have you diligently pursued advancing your walk with Messiah to be a partaker of the divine nature? What fruits of the seven character traits do you regularly bear? Which of these character traits will you ask God to manifest in your life to a greater extent? In what ways can you see yourself growing further?
Scripture References
Romans 5-7; 2 Peter; Philippians 2:5-15; 2 Corinthians 4; 1 John
Book References
Faith and Fables: p. 100-105
Sons and Servants: p. 65-73; 122-123
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