Read 1 John 4

“In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” (1 John 4:10)

Propitiation. A big word, isn’t it? But oh such a wonderful word! Within it is planted the seed of the Gospel and the reason why we are able to receive salvation at no cost.

Depending on the Bible translation you read this word might be translated: “atoning sacrifice” or of the sort. But in my opinion that is an oversimplification of what’s being communicated. I'm happy that the word propitiation is still being used in most modern translations.

If God loved us to the extent that He would send Christ to be the propitiation for our sins, we should take the time to unpack its meaning. Understanding this word will unlock a fuller and broader understanding of our redemption, and it will altogether grow our love for God.

Propitiation is an old English Word which means to win or regain favor by doing something that pleases the offended party. Or more simply, to appease someone's anger. Even though this is only the definition of the English word translated out of the original Greek language, it does a fine job!

In the context of our relationship with God, Jesus is this very thing! Jesus is the one and only propitiation that satisfies. God has been eternally offended by our sin, which has aroused His anger and wrath. Appeasement of His wrath is not only required in matters of justice, but it is also required to regain favor with Him. Left to ourselves, there is no way for us to appease God for the crimes we’ve committed.

This is why God, in the fulness of His grace, sent the Son — the God-Man Jesus Christ — to appease God’s wrath for us. Jesus Christ has become the propitiation for our sins, and as such, has satisfied the justice and the wrath of God on our behalf (see Romans 3:23-25; 1 John 2:2).

“Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief. When You make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, And the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in His hand. He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many, For He shall bear their iniquities.” (Isaiah 53:10–11)

Now, we are not only set free, but we can experience the favor and kindness of God now and forevermore! Truly, as the Apostle John says in our verse, "In this is love, not that we loved God but that He loved us." Propitiation was an act of God done strictly by the love of God for humankind.

Therefore, how much should we love Him back? Praise be to God who did not leave us floundering in sin and certain doom, but raised us up in Christ Jesus, and has called us His own. Behold, what manner of love is this?

“Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!” (1 John 3:1)

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