Advent Reading for December 23, 2023 | “Because He is Love” from 1 John 4:9-10

“Because He is Love”
by Robert Morman

Certain words in Scripture carry a massive amount of weight. One of those words is mentioned in verse 10 of I John 4. Propitiation is, as a hero of mine would say, a twenty-five-dollar word. It is huge to us as believers. It shows the amount of love the God the Father has for us. Propitiation means “appeasement or satisfaction”. These verses are discussing how God loves us. God loved us so much that, to satisfy the wrath of God, because of His holy standard, He, God the Father, sent Jesus to be the sacrifice to meet that holy standard for us. Let that sit with you for a moment. God, out of love (because He is love), sent Jesus, perfect and sinless, to be the sacrifice for our sins so that the debt of sin is paid in full for all time and we can have a relationship with God the Father. 

We must talk a minute about God’s wrath. This is an uncomfortable subject for some people. Some people even refuse to discuss it because “God is love”. Yes. God is love. But there is a wrath that is holy and sovereign. It is wrath brought on by sin and the brokenness of the world that came through Adam in the garden. But the “Second Adam” (referencing Jesus in 1 Corinthians 15:45-47) brought salvation to the world and gave us hope to have a restored relationship with God. Jesus’ love for the Father drove him to live a life of obedience even to death on the cross (Philippians 2:8). This is why Jesus is Lord of all. 

There is no greater expression of love than this. The Christ child would one day suffer and die for us because of the love of the Father. He would be betrayed. He would be beaten. He would be flogged. He would have thorns shoved down on his head. He would be forced to carry His cross. He would be nailed to that cross. He would suffer tremendously and die. Why? God’s love. This Child would be the ultimate expression of that love. A love sealed with the holy blood of Christ. 

As we approach Christmas Eve, remember that Jesus was the propitiation that settled the debt between you and God. The Christ Child would one day die and pay for our sins. He did this because only the perfect sacrifice could turn back the perfect wrath of God. Thank God today for His love for you. Thank Him for sending Jesus as the sacrifice for your sins. Thank God for His wrath turned back. 

Reflection Questions:

1. Reflecting on that beautiful Bible-word propitiation, how does understanding that Jesus became the ultimate sacrifice to satisfy God’s wrath impact your perception on His love for His people?
2. As Christmas approaches, how does understanding Jesus as the propitiation for our sins affect our gratitude and relationship with Him? How can you express your thankfulness for Him and to Him during this Christmas season?

"Who Can Stand Under the Wrath of God?" from Revelation 6 (The KING is Coming) – Refresh & Restore | A JustKeithHarris.com Podcast

📖 Revelation 6:1–17In this episode of The KING is Coming, Keith Harris and Jamie Harrison begin opening the seals of the scroll as the worthy Lamb carries out God's judgment upon the earth. What begins with the four horsemen ends with one sobering question: Who can stand? Together, Keith and Jamie discuss:✔️ Why the Lamb alone is worthy to open the scroll✔️ The four horsemen and what they reveal about God's judgment✔️ The rise of the Antichrist and his false promise of peace✔️ War, famine, death, and persecution as the seals are opened✔️ The prayers of the martyrs beneath the altar and God's perfect timing✔️ Why the only place to stand in the coming judgment is in the grace and mercy of Jesus ChristRevelation 6 is a sobering reminder that God's judgment is real—but so is His mercy. Before the wrath of the Lamb is fully poured out, the invitation to repent and trust in Christ still stands."For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?" (Revelation 6:17)🔗 If you would like to see a written version of this podcast, complete with footnotes and cross-references, you can find it here.

1. "Who Can Stand Under the Wrath of God?" from Revelation 6 (The KING is Coming) 44:50
2. "Musings on Marriage, Missions, and My Walk with Christ" (Refresh & Restore) 34:34
3. "Light Momentary Afflictions, Eternal Weight of Glory" (Refresh & Restore) 30:25
4. "Worthy is the Lion, the Slain Lamb Who Lives" from Revelation 5 (The KING is Coming) 36:02
5. "Before the Throne of God Above" from Revelation 4 (The KING is Coming) 34:36