The Kiss of Atonement
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Psalm 85:10 (KJV)
- Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
The Kiss of Atonement
"From Covenant to Cross to Conversion"
Psalm 85:10
It is impossible for people to rightly understand Christianity unless they work at
understanding God as He is revealed in Scripture. Often people excuse their theological laziness
and sinful behavior with phrases like, "My God would never do that!" or "My God
is not like your God." Unfortunately, their "god" is but a figment of imagination. There
is only one God and He is known only by His revelation of Himself to us in Scripture. In
order to understand God as He is revealed to us in the Bible, theologians often speak of God's
attributes. Attributes are characteristics of qualities of one's person. In this one verse we have
four attributes of God -- mercy, truth, righteousness and peace.
| Mercy -- |
to refrain from punishing offenders. We will often beg a judge for
mercy. "Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful" (Luke 6:36). |
| Truth -- |
consistency with a fixed standard. Pilate asked the question "What is
truth?" The Apostle said of the Lord, "Thy Word is truth." (John 17:17). |
| Righteousness -- |
the quality of acting according to the law. When Paul discusses the
law of God written upon the heart he says, "There is none righteous" (Romans
3:10). |
| Peace -- |
freedom from conflict that arises from offenses. "Let us therefore follow
after the things which make for peace" (Romans 14:19). God originates peace (I Corinthians
14:33). |
David and his people have sinned against God (v.5). They are in need of salvation (v.6).
They beseech the Lord to save them (v.7). David anticipates that the Lord will answer his request
(vs.8-9), and then rejoices in the salvation that God gives (v.10) where we read that "mercy
and truth have met, and righteousness and peace have kissed." You and I have sinned against
God. We are under "the wrath of God." We are in need of salvation. What is it that saves
you and me from the righteous anger of God poured out on sinners?
- A covenant in heaven consistent with the attributes of God.
It is impossible for God to simply have mercy upon sinners, then He would be unjust. He cannot
violate His Word (for He is "truth"), and He cannot act contrary to the law (for He is
"righteous"), therefore He orchestrated from eternity a plan of salvation on behalf of
sinners.
"Our salvation is so well contrived, so well planned, that God may have mercy
upon sinners, and be at peace with them without any wrong to His truth and righteousness"
Matthew Henry.
This is called "the everlasting covenant" (Hebrews 13:20) and is the motive for Christ's
coming.
- A cross on Golgotha consistent with the attributes of God.
What happened on the cross? What makes the cross so special? It is where a Savior died for
sinners and mercy and truth met and righteousness and peace kissed. (Read Romans
3:24-26).
- A conversion in my heart consistent with the attributes of God.
How can a holy, righteous, just God bless an awful sinner like me? Could it be that He is free to
bless me and care for me because the enmity between me and Him has been mended?
"Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth." (Romans
10:4).
Atonement means "at one ment" or "one in agreement." Are you at one with God today?
Questions? Comments?
Pastor Wade
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