That you may KNOW

How can you know you are saved:?

What is our problem? Why do we need to be saved? Saved from what?

The obvious answer is simple: Sin.

Sin is transgression of the law, sin alienates us from God.

So if we are going to be saved then God has to do something about sin.

However, that is not all that the problem.

Yes our sin needs to new belt with sufficiently, but at the same time, because of our sin we have stored sup wrath.

So really there are 2 problems we face: Sin itself and the consequences of that sin, which is God’s righteous wrath and indignation at us mere creatures who decided to defy the almighty creator.

Now you might ask: How do we know that both of these are actual problems?

Because God himself says so.

In the OT sacrificial system that God gave His people, God gives therm 2 categories or types of sacrifices.

One of these types is to solve the sin problem and the other type is to solve the “wrath” problem.

And God gave each of these sacrifices a different name.

The first type of sacrifice is called Expiation.

In Hebrew expiation is referred to as Kipper - Atonement.

And what we see from God is that these expiation sacrifices were directed at the problem of sin.

The prefix “ex” means “from” or “out of”. And as you will see, the object of all expiate sacrifices is sin itself.

Leviticus 5:10 KJV 1900

10 And he shall offer the second for a burnt offering, according to the manner: and the priest shall make an atonement for him for his sin which he hath sinned, and it shall be forgiven him.

You will find the phrase “for sin..” throughout the bible.

Expiation is an offering FOR SIN.

Hebrews 10:6 KJV 1900

6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure.

Again note that the sacrifice was literally “for sin” - Expiation.

But what about the other problem?

God’s wrath against our sin and defiance?

For that God called for a propitiation sacrifice.

EX-piation means from.

Pro-pitiation means? FOR.

Expiation sacrifices were so God’s people would be saved FROM sin.

Propitiation sacrifices were so God;’s people would be FOR or “right” WITH GOD Himself.

The best OT example of a propitiation sacrifice is without a doubt the passover.

The Lamb that was slain, was it slain to remove sin or what it slain to bring protection from wrath?

Lets look what God says:

Exodus 12:13 KJV 1900

13 And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.

Notice that there is not a single reference to sin. The object of the propitiatory sacrifice is not sin but God himself.

Probably the best example of BOTH expiation for sin and Propitiation for God is seen in the ordinance of the scape goat.

On the day of atonement the high priest would take 2 goats.

On the one goat he would lay his hand and transfer all of Israels sin onto the goat.

The goat was then driven out of the tent into the wilderness never to be seen again. This was a representation of the expiation of sin.

The other goat however, was slain and its blood sprinkled on the tent - drawing from the passover lamb.

This is an example of propitiation.

The problem however was that even although the sacrifices were properly directed to each of these 2 problems, the “quality” of the sacrifices themselves was unable to permanently and completely solve the problems.

They were plasters on a wound that actually needed stitches.

Hebrews 10:3–4 KJV 1900

3 But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. 4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.

So here is what we need if we are ever going to be saved:

We need an expiation sacrifice so powerful that sin cannot get past it. It not only needs to remove the sin, but also prevent sin from ever returning.

And on top of that:

We need a propitiation sacrifice so powerful that it will once and for all and forever satisfy God’s righteous wrath against us.

What can possibly accomplish this impossible task?

Well, we are given a HUGE hint very early on in the Gospel records, when Jesus went to the Jordan River to be baptised by John, God actually gives us “spoilers”.

First:

When John sees Jesus coming what does John exclaim?

John 1:29 KJV 1900

29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

What does John say Jesus will do?

Take away the sin of the world. What is that kind of sacrifice called? Expiation.

So we see expiation in Jesus Christ.

But we also see something else:

When Jesus was baptised and came out the water, the Holy Spirit came on him and the Father said something. What did the Father say to the Son?

Matthew 3:16–17 KJV 1900

16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: 17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

What this tells us is that the Son is pleasing, that is, satisfying to the Father.

So very early in the life of Jesus Christ we see that Jesus is going to be that ultimate sacrifices that both expiates sin and propitiates God.

Expiation:

How do we know that Jesus as a sacrifice was sufficient to fully and forever expiate the records of our sins?

Well, because that what the bible says he did!

Colossians 2:14 KJV 1900

14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

Psalm 103:12 KJV 1900

12 As far as the east is from the west, So far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

Hebrews 8:12 KJV 1900

12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.

Church, for those who have faith in Jesus Christ, so perfect was his sacrifice on an expiated level that there exists not a single record of our sins.

The Lion from the Tribe of Judah not only expiated our sins, but now stands on guard roaring with such Holy Fire that the Tempter himself can no longer claim us.

Galatians 1:4–5 KJV 1900

4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: 5 To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

This verse is all about expiation, “for our sins” and so powerful is this sacrifice that it literally “delivers us from this present evil world”.

Propitiation:

What about propitiation?

Well the bible says plainly:

Romans 3:24–25 KJV 1900

24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 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;

1 John 2:2 KJV 1900

2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

1 John 4:10 KJV 1900

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.

To the Father Jesus is the Holy and Perfect Lamb of God.

That same Lamb that the Father said: “This is my beloved Son in whom i am well pleased”.

When this holy Lamb was offered up as a sacrifice on Calvary, the Father justice was fully and forever satisfied.

the result?

Romans 5:1 KJV 1900

1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

Conclusion:

1 John 5:13 KJV 1900

13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.