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NASB | 1 Corinthians 11:30 For this reason many among you are weak and sick, and a number sleep. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 1 Corinthians 11:30 That [careless and unworthy participation] is the reason why many among you are weak and sick, and a number sleep [in death]. |
Subject: "Am I truly in God's family?" |
Bible Note: I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day." 2 Tim 1:12. If I have been completely forgiven and declared righteous by God because of my faith in the finished work of Christ, how can I become "unrighteous"? Was Jesus' death insufficent to keep me saved from the wrath of God against sin? I hope this can provide some insight into this discussion. Let's look at the Doctrine of Propitiation as presented by Stanley L. Derickson Ph.D. 1992 "hilasmos" This term is seen in two passages where it depicts what Christ did for mankind. I John 2:2, "And he is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world." I 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." Two things we need to notice. First of all, the propitiation was for our sins, and the work was done by Christ. Secondly, it was propitiation for the ". . .sins of the whole world." Propitiation was for all people both lost and saved, yet there seems to be a need of faith for one to receive the benefit of this propitiation. The dwelling place of God in the Wilderness was named propitiation.("hilasterion") The spot where the blood of animals was sprinkled (Lev. 16:15), is used to signify what the New Testament calls propitiation. Hebrews tells us that Christ offered His own blood in the heavenly tabernacle as an everlasting propitiation for sin. It is faith in that blood that saves man. Propitiation is not automatic for the lost person. It seems to be linked to the faith of one coming to the Lord. Rom. 3:25 "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;" The provision is made yet this verse seems to indicate the application or benefit is based on faith. Propitiation does not bring forgiveness as some set forth. Thiessen states when he quotes from Hodge, "By the suffering of the sinner's atoning substitute, the divine wrath at sin is propitiated, and as a consequence of this propitiation the punishment due to sin is released, or not inflicted upon the transgressor. This release or noninfliction of penalty is "forgiveness," in the Biblical representation." (Thiessen quoting Hodge: Thiessen, Henry C.; "LECTURES IN SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY"; Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1949, p 326) Propitiation opens the door of possibility to forgiveness, though the two are not one. Propitiation is something that is provided by an act of Christ, and recognized by the Father, while forgiveness is something that is given by God and enjoyed by the believer. There is nothing that man can do for his own salvation, except believe and accept that which God has provided for us, even before we needed it. Does not Rom. 5:8 relate to this thought? "But God commendeth his love toward us in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Christ provided the act that made propitiation, The Father is satisfied, and the Spirit draws the lost person to realization of all of these truths relevant to salvation. Propitiation is not salvation. "It rather secures the possibility of salvation." (Chafer, Lewis Sperry; "SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY"; Dallas, TX: Dallas Seminary Press, 1947, Vol. 5) It places man in a proper attitude or position before God, whereby the possibility of salvation exists. mommapbs |