The Genesis Atonement Romans 5:1-11

Text:  “Much more then, being now justified (i.e. declared not guilty!) by His (Christ’s) Blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.”

Romans 5:9.

“...And without shedding of Blood is no remission (i.e. of sin).” 

Hebrews 9:22b.

Good morning, Blood bought Christian! Your strength and consistent confidence lies in the fact of your faith that, you have been Redeemed from out of the world by the precious Blood of the Lamb - Christ Jesus, the righteous and only begotten Son of the Living God. Hallelujah! What a Saviour! (1 Peter 1:18-19)

Thus it is that, you can boldly face your daily foes - the world, the flesh, and the Devil - and not be afraid.  Fearing God, you fear nothing else, for the Lord Jesus has made you at one with Him. (John 17:18-23)

The above principle is the simple meaning of the Scriptural word Atonement’. If this word is broken down, it becomes for us AT-ONE-MENT - sinful mankind made one with God; reconciled to a Holy God of wrath against sin, through the Sacrificially shed Blood of the sinless Saviour, Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:1)

In this manner, God’s legal wrath against all sin was appeased, on our behalf, by God’s love - revealed as it is in the Cross of God the Son, Christ  Jesus.  This, of course, is the great Reformed Protestant doctrine of Substitution. By being ‘born again’ in Christ, we are brought to be ‘at one’ with God Himself. Praise God for this Bible truth!       (2 Corinthians 5:21)

The Atonement is, of course, the subject of this morning’s Bible reading from the book of Romans; and the aspect of Atonement portrayed here, is the aggregate of blessings believers receive at the gracious and merciful hand of God as a result of His good grace alone in Christ Jesus, ALONE.  (Ephesians 2:8-9) (Psalm 34:8)

Look briefly, at the aggregate of blessings God grants us once we are justified by Him: Peace (V1); Access to God in prayer (V2); rejoicing (V2); glory in trials (V3); patience (V3); experience (V4); hope (V4); and love unlimited (V5). What a soul-thrilling array of Divine blessings indeed! Can we fail at this point to give a word of sincere thanks unto God for His grace towards us this day?  Never!  “Thanks be to God!” Amen. (Philippians 4:6-7)

However, notwithstanding the above Scriptural message, the Atonement is not exclusively a New Testament doctrine. God’s WAY of Salvation never changes. Atonement is by grace alone, through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ Atonement Sacrifice ALONE!  Neither is there Salvation in any other Name, method, or set of teachings. We have, as always, God’s own Word on the matter, and that should be enough for any true believer.  (Hebrews 13:8) (Acts 4:12) (John 14:6)

We find many types, or illustrations, of Christ’s Atonement throughout the pages of the Old Testament; the first one in the Book of Genesis, chapter 3:. Throughout the whole Book of revealed Scriptural truth, the message remains the same: “And ye shall seek Me, and find Me (Christ), when ye shall search for Me with all of your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13)

Our fore-parents sinned the first sin in Eden, and God, in His love, gave them the first promise of Atonement Salvation immediately. In verse 15 of Genesis 3: we see the promise of the Saviour - “...the seed of the woman...”. Think about it, beloved in Christ! In the natural realm, the woman has no ‘seed’ of procreation, and needs her egg fertilised by the seed of the male.

However, the first mention of the shedding of blood - the innocent to atone for the sins of the guilty - is found later in verse twenty-one of the same chapter. Here we learn of God putting to death the innocent animals He had created, in order to make a covering of robes for His errant people.  It is the first mention of death in Scriptures; it is the first illustration of something dying that others may receive forgiveness, and of course, by that forgiveness, life anew and renewed fellowship with the Creator God.

Of course, in order to take the animal’s skins to clothe Adam and Eve blood, naturally, had to be shed. Thus, even at this early stage of humankind’s existence with a thrice Holy Lord God, we find the Lord teaching us His only way of Atonement. It is a concept Christ Himself deemed ultra important for us to remember. (1 Corinthians 11:24-26)

The sinless Lamb of God, Christ Jesus, sheds His Blood and dies on a Cross, to make the necessary ATONEMENT SACRIFICE to bring together the sinful creature with his/her altogether Holy Creator Lord.  Born again Christians are thus covered in the robe of righteousness provided by God - the precious Blood of the Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Thus, we are at all times made to be AT ONE with God. Now, isn’t this some really good news? Hallelujah! Thanks be to God! Amen.

Thought: The blessings of Christ’s ATONEMENT are all yours - only when you are ALL His!