1 John 2:2 (NIV) “He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.”
What is the Atonement? To atone means to compensate or pay for something. Jesus Christ’s Atonement references His payment for the sins of mankind. The Hebrew word translated “atonement” is kaphar, meaning “to cover.” This suggests that through the act of atonement sin is covered so that God no longer sees it.
Romans 5:11 (NET) “Not only this, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received this reconciliation.”
The word atonement is used to refer to the atoning death of Christ through which the sinner is reconciled to God, restored to His favour.
Hebrews 9:22 (NET) Indeed according to the law almost everything was purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.
The Atonement is sufficient for all men, but it is efficient only for those who believe! The effectiveness of the Atonement in any one’s life is conditioned by faith. When one refuses to believe, his unbelief does not suggest a non-existence of the provision of salvation. God provided for the salvation of all men entirely apart from, and independent of, faith. Christ died for all men whether all men believe it or not. There is universal provision in the universal offer, and the fault is man’s if it be not universal in point of effect.
Atonement is proof of God’s incredible love and mercy.
In the Old Covenant, people could bring an animal like a lamb to the temple to be sacrificed. The animal had to be perfect and without blemish. The death of the animal in their stead atoned for the people’s sins and they were forgiven.
Leviticus 17:11 (NKJV) “For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.”
The blood of animals was a token but could not stop people from transgressing. Atonement had to be made again and again. We cannot do anything of ourselves to deserve forgiveness and salvation. Atonement through forgiveness is a gift, entirely through God’s grace and love and longsuffering, which we must receive by faith.
Romans 6:23 (NKJV) “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
In the New Covenant, Jesus’ sacrifice covered all the sins of the whole world. Atonement gave us the opportunity to start with a clean slate.
2 Corinthians 5:18-20(WEB) “But all things are of God, who reconciled us to himself through Jesus Christ, and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation;19 namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not reckoning to them their trespasses, and having committed to us the word of reconciliation.20 We are therefore ambassadors on behalf of Christ, as though God were entreating by us: we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”
