Romans 5:10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.
Introductory Thoughts
Sin demands atonement. This is repeatedly reiterated throughout the Old Testament with phrases such as, “I shall make an atonement for your sin” (Exodus 32:30), and “the priest shall make an atonement for him as touching his sin that he hath sinned in one of these” (Leviticus 5:13). Interestingly, the word atonement contains its own built-in definition. Atonement, generally speaking, puts God and man at one. When atonement is made, man is “forgiven” (Leviticus 4:20) or “cleansed” (Leviticus 14:31). Things are made right! Atonement is a frequent subject throughout the Old Testament, but in the New Testament, we are told about the finality—“we have now received the atonement” (Romans 5:11).
Devotional Thoughts
• (For children): In the Old Testament, blood had to be offered yearly for the people’s sins (Hebrews 9:6-7; Hebrews 10:1-4). Jesus’ blood paid for our sins (Romans 5:9; Ephesians 1:7). He only had to die once (Hebrews 9:24-28). That is why His atonement is “the” atonement in the New Testament.
• (For everyone): How many times does the word atonement appear in the Old Testament? How many times does it appear in the New Testament? What is the significance of this truth?
• Read Leviticus 17:11. What is it “that maketh an atonement for the soul”? How was this accomplished by the death of Christ? How does Romans 5:11 prove this fact?
Prayer Thoughts
• Thank the Lord for the atonement received through His Son.
• Ask God to continually show you what Christ has done for you.
SONG: ARISE, MY SOUL, ARISE