Conclusion
What a joy to have studied the Atonement or at-one-ment, its importance, its life-giving and life-changing characteristics with you. The single greatest gift can be nothing less than God Himself for what or who is greater or more desirable than Him? The problem, however, is always sin. Without God’s answer for your sin problem, you will forever pay your own debt. Christ’s precious blood spilled on your behalf satisfies your sin debt in full and grants you access to the greatest gift. Take it in the power and strength that only God can afford to you. If God has awakened your heart and soul through this study, please consider your new joys and responsibilities:
1. Feast on the Word of God. Other than Christ, it is the most precious and prized possession you will ever have in this life. It will remind you of sin, your redemption and the marvel and the mystery of Christ’s love and union with you. (See Deuteronomy 8:3; Matthew 4:4; See also Galatians 2:20)
2. Pray. Consider that when you hold the Bible you can speak directly to the Author and ask Him to speak to you. Cast your cares on Him, for He cares for you. (See I Peter 5:7)
3. Listen to the Word of God. Faith comes by hearing and that by the Word of God. This is an essential part of number 1 above and number 4 below. (See Romans 10:17)
4. Join a local Bible believing, Bible preaching congregation. God calls us into community with Himself and His bride. (See Galatians 3:26 – 4:7; Ephesians 5:25-27; Revelation 21:9) Also, once you find such a congregation, get involved in the smaller communities within that church’s larger community, such as Bible studies or new believer’s classes.
5. Tell others. The Bible emphasizes the importance of confessing Christ and what He has done in and for you. (See Romans 10:9-10)
6. Obey Him. If you love Me, you will obey Me. (See John 14:15) This can only be accomplished through unity with Christ. (See Galatians 5:16-26) Besides loving God and others, this involves baptism and Holy Communion.
7. Serve others. God has uniquely gifted you as a member of the body of Christ. Use those gifts for His glory and the progress of His kingdom. (See Romans 12:3-8; I Corinthians 12:1 – 13:13; Galatians 6:1-10; Ephesians 4:7-16)
If God has stirred your already awakened heart, then praise Him for working in your heart and life. Examine the joys and responsibilities listed above. Trust that all that He intends toward you is good, even though it may not seem that way right now. If God alone is good, who or what else could be good? All else are idols seeking to confuse or trick you into uniting your heart with them instead of or in addition to God. Israel united itself with the false religions of the Canaanites despite God’s repeated warnings not to do so. Pursue the Gospel, the Cross, the full panoply of God’s character and, most of all, Christ with every ounce of you. You will discover that He is and is continually becoming your one consuming passion, for this is part of what it means to “love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength.” (See Mark 12:30)
Grace & Truth,
Mitchell L. Gingrich