June 9, 2026 4:00 am
The concept of atonement is explored in the context of biblical reconciliation, highlighting the difference between temporary covering of sins and the permanent restoration of fellowship with God through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
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Welcome to the Days of Praise podcast, a daily devotional by the Institute for Creation Research. The Joy of Reconciliation. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement. Romans 5.11. The Greek word for atonement in this verse is catalage, which everywhere else is translated reconciliation.
The connotation is full restoration to fellowship after long enmity and alienation. The Hebrew word for atonement Kephar occurs some 80 times in the Old Testament, over half of them in Leviticus. It normally referred to the covering of one's sins by the shed blood of an innocent or blemish-free animal sacrifice. Although this could provide some comfort to the sinner, there was little to be joyful about, since the covering was only temporary and the sins were still there. When Christ came, however, he became the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sins of the world.
He put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. Consequently, atonement is never mentioned at all in the New Testament. Instead, we have been fully reconciled to God by the death of His Son. Thus our text is really saying that we have real joy in God through Christ, by whom we have now received the reconciliation. Our fellowship with our Heavenly Father has been fully restored by the wonderful gift of eternal salvation through the work of Christ, who was delivered for our offenses and was raised again for our justification.
And as we rejoice in the Lord, we must remember, too, that He hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation, so that we are ambassadors for Christ, beseeching others also to Be ye reconciled to God. Second Corinthians five eighteen and twenty. If you've enjoyed today's devotional, be sure to subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts. And please rate and review so more listeners can find us. To support ICR's ministry, visit icr.org/slash donate.
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