God isn't looking for those who question, disbelieve, or resist change. He is complete, perfect, and completely divine. It’s us humans who need Him. Because of His profound love for humanity, He offered His Son as a sacrifice to atone for the sins of all who love, believe, and follow His commandments.
1 John 5:3
King James Version
3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous
John 14:15-31 KJV
If ye love me, keep my commandments. [16] And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; [17] Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. [18] I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. [19] Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. [20] At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. [21] He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. [22] Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? [23] Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. [24] He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me. [25] These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. [26] But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. [27] Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. [28] Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I. [29] And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe. [30] Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me. [31] But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.
James 2:19-20 KJV
Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. [20] But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
John 3:16-21 KJV
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. [17] For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. [18] He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. [19] And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. [20] For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. [21] But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
About the Sacrificial Death of Jesus Christ
In the Bible, atonement signifies the restoration of the relationship between God and humanity, chiefly through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ. The Hebrew term for atonement, "kaphar," translates to "cover" or "make propitiation," while the Greek equivalent often conveys ideas of "reconciliation" or "restoration." Ultimately, atonement is about mending the rift caused by sin between God and humankind.
In the Old Testament:
1. Sacrificial System: Atonement was facilitated through a system of animal sacrifices designed to temporarily cover sins and purify the people.
2. Day of Atonement: The pinnacle of atonement practices occurred on Yom Kippur, when the high priest made sacrifices for the sins of the entire nation.
3. Covering Sin: This process aimed to "cover" sins in order to restore the relationship with God, necessitating a blood sacrifice for purification.
In the New Testament:
1. Jesus' Sacrifice: Atonement is recognized as being fulfilled through the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
2. Satisfaction of Justice: Christ’s sacrifice is viewed as satisfying God’s justice regarding sin, paving the way for believers to receive forgiveness and reconnection with God.
3. Reconciliation: The concept is frequently rendered as "reconciliation," indicating the renewal of the bond between God and humanity.
4. "Making at One": Interestingly, the term "atonement" originates from a phrase that means to be "at one," underscoring the harmony restored between God and people.
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