The New Testament word, propitiation, carries the meaning of both removing a problem and of providing a benefit. But there’s more. When God makes propitiation for man, He does it because He loves, and so He can lavish that love unabated upon man—at full strength. Consider the following:
“In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” 1 John 4:9-10
This is why I have never liked the expression, “God’s love is a decision.” Sure, there is a decision about it—He decided to send His Son—but it’s what motivates Him that leads to the decision. He actually loves us! So He does something perfect about it. Full strength!
Don’t you love that? That’s God! And that’s God for us.
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