The atonement [God reconciles sinners to himself through the cross of Christ] is to be understood as a multi-faceted jewel. As you turn it examining its beauty, each and every angle will shine forth a unique and glorious reflection of the plan of God to restore rebels to relationship with Himself. Another way to see the beauty of the atonement is through the image of a symphony in which all the different themes interweave together creating one glorious sound. At the core of the atonement is the theme of substitution, but circling around it are the concepts of sacrifice, propitiation, redemption, reconciliation, triumph, and example.
This massive multi-faceted atonement has massive multi-faceted implications for every aspect of Christian ministry. Whether preaching or counseling (or mentoring, evangelism, discipleship…you name it!) the atonement not only affects our ministries, it is central and vital to our ministries. It is of first importance. You cannot minister without understanding and applying the atonement.
Of course, in large group proclamation (the preaching of God’s Word week in and week out), we must be diligent to show how the atonement is central in the Christian life and experience. Every sermon must speak of God's plan to reconcile rebels to relationship with Himself. One or more aspects of the multi-faceted atonement must be exegeted from the text (because they're there!), expounded, and applied. We must teach our people corporately to be gospel-saturated people.
And in small group community (i.e. counseling, mentoring, discipleship), we must have confidence in the multi-faceted atonement to deal with every problem that we face. A biblical counselor (i.e. every Christian) must learn to listen well to the people they counsel (where is their heart at? what circumstances are they facing? how are they thinking? etc) in order to find the aspect of the atonement that will cut to their heart at that very moment.
- Is it a matter of addiction? Then perhaps the theme of REDEMPTION would motivate people to walk with Jesus out of slavery to sin in to the freedom of life in Him. Or perhaps the theme of TRIUMPH—that Jesus has defeated the powers of satan and sin on the cross—is most appropriate for the addict? Perhaps that truth that "you are in Christ, sin has lost its grip on you" will provide the empowerment for breaking free from addiction?
- Is it a matter of abuse? Then perhaps the themes of PROPITIATION—that God deals wrathfully against sin and injustice—and/or EXPIATION—that God cleanses people from the defilement of sin—will serve to comfort and console victims of abuse. Victims of injustice must realize that God does not let sin go unpunished. His wrath is always appeased by blood—either the blood of Jesus or the blood of an unrepentant abuser.
- Is it a matter of marital conflict where peace in the home seems to be an impossibility? Then perhaps the theme of RECONCILIATION—that God brings peace out of alienation, reconciling us to Himself and each other—would speak volumes. Or perhaps the theme of SACRIFICE—that Jesus was slaughtered for our sins so that this marriage wouldn’t have to be. The question for this couple could be: “Are you going to give your sin to Jesus, or allow your sin to crucify your marriage?”
- Is it a matter of failing to use the resources God has given for our sanctification, or failing to live a life in biblical community on gospel mission? Does someone simply need a strong exhortation to live like Christ? Then perhaps the theme that Jesus is our EXAMPLE may motivate obedience to the Father and dependence on the Spirit.
In the end, the theme of SUBSTITUTION—that Christ died in my place for my sins—is the heart of the atonement. It is the center of the jewel, the main theme in the symphony. Around this concept every other concept orients. Without a perfect Savior taking our sin, destroying it on the cross, and imputing to us His righteousness, we are left with no hope! The good news of 2 Corinthians 5:21 and Galatians 3:13 must be central in all our Biblical preaching and counseling. Only then can the other themes of atonement be ignited and applied to the specific problems that sin-plagued people face in a sin-saturated world. "In my place condemned He stood" is the heart of the gospel. "Hallelujah! What a Savior!"
