The Salvation Army’s Doctrine 6 states, “We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ has by His suffering and death made an atonement for the whole world so that whosoever will may be saved.” This doctrine is a compelling declaration that sits at the heart of the Christian faith and underscores the transformative work of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on the cross. Atonement is more than a theological concept; it is a powerful expression of God’s unconditional love and justice that provides the only vehicle for humanity to be reconciled back to God. Let’s explore the biblical foundation of atonement, its significance and the call for believers to live in light of our Savior’s sacrificial work at Calvary.

What is Atonement? How is it Biblical?

Atonement is God’s saving work through Christ to remove the barriers and obstacles between humanity and God caused by our sin and disobedience. Sin not only creates a chasm between humanity and God, but it also defiles human nature. Although God is the aggrieved party, He took on the sin and punishment humanity deserved to reconcile humanity back to Himself.

The term atonement refers to the reconciliation between God and humanity made possible through Jesus Christ’s sacrificial work on the cross. Atonement can be understood as “at-one-ment,” referring to the process by which humans, once separated from God by sin, are brought back into a right relationship with Him.

The concept of atonement is deeply rooted in Scripture. In the Old Testament, atonement was realized through sacrificial ceremonies, where animals were offered as substitutes to bear the punishment humanity deserved for their sins. Leviticus 16 describes the Day of Atonement, when the high priest would enter the Most Holy Place to offer sacrifices on behalf of the Israelites, symbolically cleansing them from sin. These ceremonies were a precursor to the greater and ultimate sacrifice that would not need to be repeated — the atonement provided by Jesus Christ.

Isaiah 53:5 (NKJV) prophesies about the suffering of the Messiah, saying, “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds, we are healed.” This prophecy illustrates that the sacrificial ceremonies were never intended to be the final solution for sin but foreshadowed Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice, which would accomplish what the blood of animals could not.

The Basis for the Atonement

The foundation of the atonement lies in God’s perfect love, holiness, and justice. Sin separates humanity from God, as it contradicts His nature and creates a barrier between the Creator and His creation. Romans 3:23 (NIV) reminds us, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” stressing the absolute and universal need for atonement. God’s justice unequivocally requires that sin be fully addressed, not disregarded. However, God’s love creates a way for His justice to be satisfied without the ultimate condemnation of humanity.

This is where the advent of the Messiah, Jesus, is pivotal. As fully God and fully human, Jesus was the only one uniquely equipped and able to reconcile humanity back to God. His holy and sinless life made Him the perfect and appropriate sacrifice, and His death on the cross satisfied the demands of God’s justice. Colossians 2:14 states that Jesus “canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross.” Through Christ’s death, the debt of sin was paid in full, and God’s righteous wrath was appeased, opening the way for reconciliation.

How the Atonement Provides Forgiveness of Our Sins

Humanity rightly deserved to face God’s wrath and punishment. The atonement grants a way for forgiveness of sins by addressing the penalty that sin deserves. According to Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (NIV). The offense of sin justly dictates a price, which is spiritual death and eternal separation from God. Jesus Christ, through His atoning work, took upon Himself the punishment that humanity justly deserved, providing forgiveness and new life to whosoever believes in Him.

First John 1:9 assures believers, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (NKJV). Let us be clear: God’s forgiveness of sin is not earned by human works or by merit; it is a free gift that is available as a result of the atonement. Whosoever believes in Him, through faith in Jesus, is justified — that is, declared righteous before God. Again, this justification is not based on anyone’s own works but solely on Christ’s sacrifice.

Believing in Jesus and His Atoning Work on the Cross

The belief in Jesus Christ and His atoning work means that one trusts that Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection are absolutely enough for the forgiveness of sins and the restoration of our broken relationship with God. This means, as believers, we fully acknowledge our own sinfulness, accepting our inability to save ourselves, and that the only way of salvation is through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

One of the most well-known verses in the Bible, John 3:16, sums up the essence of the atonement: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (NIV). Believing in Jesus Christ is not merely knowing the facts about His life; it is faith and a personal acceptance of His sacrifice and a commitment to follow Him.

The atonement gives us the confidence to know that there is no sin greater than His grace, too big for His forgiveness, and that no one is beyond the reach of God’s grace. The atonement summons all of humanity, regardless of race, creed, color, background or past sins, to enter into a dynamic relationship with God–a relationship that is distinguished by love, joy, peace and the promise of everlasting life.

Why We Should Forgive as God Has Forgiven Us

While the atonement provides a pathway to our reconciliation with God, it also bids us to extend forgiveness to others. In Ephesians 4:32, we are encouraged this way: “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (NIV). Hence, forgiveness is an extension of the grace we have received through Christ’s atoning work.

Our understanding of the depth of God’s forgiveness — how He carried the weight of our sins on the cross — leaves us with no option but to grant forgiveness to those who have wronged us. Let us acknowledge, however, that forgiveness is not always easy or that the hurt caused by others is not inconsequential. The atonement reminds us that just as God has forgiven us freely and completely, we must, in turn, freely and generously forgive those who have hurt us. God has forgiven us much; therefore, we must provide that same grace to others.

True forgiveness is liberating and good for our souls. Forgiving as God forgave us helps break the cycle of bitterness and resentment. It fosters healing and reconciliation in broken relationships. Moreover, forgiving as God forgave us affords us the privilege to live in freedom, no longer bound by the chains of bitterness and unforgiveness. We are most like our Father when we extend forgiveness to those who have hurt us. 

As we embrace the atoning work of Christ, we are called to live transformed lives marked by forgiveness, gratitude and a deep sense of purpose. The atonement invites us into a reconciled relationship with God where we are fully known, fully loved and fully forgiven.

Ilustration by Matt Chinworth