Week 15: Atonement  

• Key verses: Isaiah 53:5; Romans 6:23
• The pardon is written, sign here to accept it
• Happy exchange – Martin Luther
• Parting thoughts

Key verses

Isaiah 53:5 (NLT)

But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.

Romans 6:23 (NLT)

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.

The pardon is written, sign here to accept it

When I think about atonement and our response to it, I liken it to having a full pardon available, and we just have to accept it.

God satisfied his call for justice the only way he could. Human sin requires a human sacrifice. Only God himself is perfect and holy. Jesus is God in the flesh and a holy human. God willingly substituted himself for us. The work is done, the pardon is written. Our only part in this process is to sign it with our faith.

Happy exchange – Martin Luther

Martin Luther gave a great description of the substitionary work of Jesus Christ.

“Christ takes our sin, death, and condemnation – and gives us His righteousness, life, and blessing. He becomes what we are so that we might become what He is.”

The Freedom of a Christian, 1520

He also emphasizes the importance of faith. The work is done. We only need to accept it.

Parting thoughts

I have personally accepted my pardon. I am thankful it is not dependent on anything I do.