Propitiation!

1 John 4:10 "Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins."

 God loved us. We did not love God, but He did love us! In fact, He loved us so much that He sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Our sins had caused a separation between us and God; an offense that required a Holy God to judge such wickedness! But, God's love for us caused Him to address this offense so He would be able to walk toward us in Love instead of judgment! This is propitiation. This is what Christ has done for us!

 What a wonderful word propitiation is! It speaks of God's desire to rush toward us in favor. God so loves us that Christ came to remove the offense of sin so God could rush toward us in His graciousness instead of meeting us in righteous judgment. Dear friend can you see it? Can you see the mighty love of God finding a way to take away your sin so He can rush to you and love you? 

 Behold Jesus on the Cross of Calvary crying out in your place, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" Then, see Him proclaim in victory, "It is finished!" as He takes away our sins by dying in our place! Now! now, God can run toward us in love and rescue us. The offense has been removed! Justice is done! Christ has suffered in our place! Our sin is removed! God is free to come and pour out His kindness on sinners; on sinners saved by the loving grace of God! Herein is love, herein is love indeed!

 1 John 4:11 "Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another." If God would love us when we were so selfish, can we not also love others who are just like we are? By the grace and power of God, we can!