December 8th, 2025
by Stacy Long
by Stacy Long
The Gift of Peace: Understanding God's Reconciling Love
The second week of Advent brings us to a profound theme: peace. Not the fragile peace that depends on perfect circumstances, but something far deeper and more enduring. To understand this peace, we must journey into one of the most misunderstood passages in Scripture and discover what God was truly communicating about His character and His gift to humanity.
The Mystery of Propitiation
Romans 3:24-25 contains a word that has puzzled readers for centuries: propitiation. The passage reads: "We are justified by His grace as a gift through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by His blood to be received by faith."
What does propitiation mean? More importantly, what did it mean to the original audience?
The Greek word used here is "hilasterion," and understanding it unlocks a beautiful truth about God's character. In the Old Testament Greek translation, this word refers to the mercy seat—the place where God's presence dwelt. But there's another crucial context we must consider.
A Cultural Revolution in Understanding
In the first-century Greco-Roman world, "hilasterion" had a specific, powerful meaning. It referred to a gift given to end a war and establish peace between conflicting parties.
Consider the famous story of the Trojan horse. Whether myth or reality, the horse was called a "hilasterion"—a gift intended to appease the goddess Athena and end a fruitless ten-year war. The concept was clear: a hilasterion was an offering made to bring about reconciliation and peace.
Even more striking is the historical example of Caesar Augustus. After Julius Caesar's death, the Roman Empire was torn by civil war between Octavian (Caesar's adopted son) and Mark Antony. When Octavian finally defeated Antony, half the empire had sided against him. He faced a choice: punish them brutally or offer clemency.
Augustus chose peace. He went on what historians call a "clemency tour," visiting the regions that had opposed him and offering forgiveness instead of retribution. The citizens, in turn, set up statues and offerings—hilasterions—to demonstrate their desire for peace. Augustus was even called "Kaisaros hilasteriu," the reconciling Caesar. This act ushered in the famous Pax Romana, the Roman peace.
God's Radical Reversal
Here's where the beauty of Romans 3 becomes clear. In pagan religions, humans offered gifts to appease angry, temperamental gods. But Paul flips this entirely on its head.
God is not the angry party needing to be appeased. We are.
Humanity is at war with God, not the other way around. God is the one offering the gift. God is the one seeking reconciliation. God is the one who set forward Jesus as a hilasterion—a peace offering to end the hostilities.
The passage says God did this "in His divine forbearance" because "He had passed over former sins." That word "forbearance" is "anoke" in Greek—a term used exclusively for truces and peace treaties. God declared a truce. He overlooked our rebellion, not because He's indifferent to sin, but because He desperately wants peace with us.
A Covenant of Peace
This theme echoes throughout Scripture. In Isaiah 54:10, God declares: "My steadfast love shall not depart from you, and My covenant of peace shall not be removed, says the Lord who has compassion on you."
In Ezekiel 37:26, God promises: "I will make a covenant of peace with them. It shall be an everlasting covenant."
When Zechariah prophesied about his son John the Baptist, he spoke of "the tender mercy of our God" that would "guide our feet into the way of peace."
Tender mercy. Not harsh demands. Not a vengeful deity requiring blood payment. A tender, compassionate God offering Himself to reconcile us to Him.
Peace Is a Person
The angels announced Jesus' birth with these words: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased."
Jesus is called the Prince of Peace. But He's more than someone who brings peace—He IS peace. Peace is not merely a circumstance or a feeling. Peace is a person you can know, connect with, and receive from.
This is crucial for navigating life's storms. Circumstances will be difficult. Trials will come. Stress, worry, and trouble are guaranteed in this world. But peace that transcends circumstances is available because peace is a person who never changes, never leaves, and is always accessible.
When you slow down and look at God in the person of Jesus—vulnerable in a manger, suffering on a cross—you see the outrageous humility and love of the Creator. The God of all creation made Himself weak, dependent, and fragile to demonstrate His desire for relationship with you.
Accepting the Treaty
God has set forward Jesus as His hilasterion, His peace offering to you. The war can end. The hostility can cease. But like any treaty, it requires both parties to agree.
God has already done His part. He's offered Himself. He's demonstrated His "tender mercy" and "divine forbearance." He's overlooked your sins and invited you into relationship.
The question is: will you accept His peace?
Peace with God isn't earned through religious rituals or good behavior. It's received by faith—by simply saying yes to the truce He's offering. And once you have peace with God, you gain access to the peace of God, that supernatural calm that can reign in your heart regardless of what's happening around you.
This Advent season, as you see manger scenes and reflect on the birth of Christ, remember what that baby represents: the God of the universe humbling Himself to offer you peace. Not because you deserved it, but because that's who He is. His character is excellent, unchanging, and full of steadfast love.
May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
(This blog was created from Stacy Long's original sermon using pulpit.ai)
The second week of Advent brings us to a profound theme: peace. Not the fragile peace that depends on perfect circumstances, but something far deeper and more enduring. To understand this peace, we must journey into one of the most misunderstood passages in Scripture and discover what God was truly communicating about His character and His gift to humanity.
The Mystery of Propitiation
Romans 3:24-25 contains a word that has puzzled readers for centuries: propitiation. The passage reads: "We are justified by His grace as a gift through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by His blood to be received by faith."
What does propitiation mean? More importantly, what did it mean to the original audience?
The Greek word used here is "hilasterion," and understanding it unlocks a beautiful truth about God's character. In the Old Testament Greek translation, this word refers to the mercy seat—the place where God's presence dwelt. But there's another crucial context we must consider.
A Cultural Revolution in Understanding
In the first-century Greco-Roman world, "hilasterion" had a specific, powerful meaning. It referred to a gift given to end a war and establish peace between conflicting parties.
Consider the famous story of the Trojan horse. Whether myth or reality, the horse was called a "hilasterion"—a gift intended to appease the goddess Athena and end a fruitless ten-year war. The concept was clear: a hilasterion was an offering made to bring about reconciliation and peace.
Even more striking is the historical example of Caesar Augustus. After Julius Caesar's death, the Roman Empire was torn by civil war between Octavian (Caesar's adopted son) and Mark Antony. When Octavian finally defeated Antony, half the empire had sided against him. He faced a choice: punish them brutally or offer clemency.
Augustus chose peace. He went on what historians call a "clemency tour," visiting the regions that had opposed him and offering forgiveness instead of retribution. The citizens, in turn, set up statues and offerings—hilasterions—to demonstrate their desire for peace. Augustus was even called "Kaisaros hilasteriu," the reconciling Caesar. This act ushered in the famous Pax Romana, the Roman peace.
God's Radical Reversal
Here's where the beauty of Romans 3 becomes clear. In pagan religions, humans offered gifts to appease angry, temperamental gods. But Paul flips this entirely on its head.
God is not the angry party needing to be appeased. We are.
Humanity is at war with God, not the other way around. God is the one offering the gift. God is the one seeking reconciliation. God is the one who set forward Jesus as a hilasterion—a peace offering to end the hostilities.
The passage says God did this "in His divine forbearance" because "He had passed over former sins." That word "forbearance" is "anoke" in Greek—a term used exclusively for truces and peace treaties. God declared a truce. He overlooked our rebellion, not because He's indifferent to sin, but because He desperately wants peace with us.
A Covenant of Peace
This theme echoes throughout Scripture. In Isaiah 54:10, God declares: "My steadfast love shall not depart from you, and My covenant of peace shall not be removed, says the Lord who has compassion on you."
In Ezekiel 37:26, God promises: "I will make a covenant of peace with them. It shall be an everlasting covenant."
When Zechariah prophesied about his son John the Baptist, he spoke of "the tender mercy of our God" that would "guide our feet into the way of peace."
Tender mercy. Not harsh demands. Not a vengeful deity requiring blood payment. A tender, compassionate God offering Himself to reconcile us to Him.
Peace Is a Person
The angels announced Jesus' birth with these words: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased."
Jesus is called the Prince of Peace. But He's more than someone who brings peace—He IS peace. Peace is not merely a circumstance or a feeling. Peace is a person you can know, connect with, and receive from.
This is crucial for navigating life's storms. Circumstances will be difficult. Trials will come. Stress, worry, and trouble are guaranteed in this world. But peace that transcends circumstances is available because peace is a person who never changes, never leaves, and is always accessible.
When you slow down and look at God in the person of Jesus—vulnerable in a manger, suffering on a cross—you see the outrageous humility and love of the Creator. The God of all creation made Himself weak, dependent, and fragile to demonstrate His desire for relationship with you.
Accepting the Treaty
God has set forward Jesus as His hilasterion, His peace offering to you. The war can end. The hostility can cease. But like any treaty, it requires both parties to agree.
God has already done His part. He's offered Himself. He's demonstrated His "tender mercy" and "divine forbearance." He's overlooked your sins and invited you into relationship.
The question is: will you accept His peace?
Peace with God isn't earned through religious rituals or good behavior. It's received by faith—by simply saying yes to the truce He's offering. And once you have peace with God, you gain access to the peace of God, that supernatural calm that can reign in your heart regardless of what's happening around you.
This Advent season, as you see manger scenes and reflect on the birth of Christ, remember what that baby represents: the God of the universe humbling Himself to offer you peace. Not because you deserved it, but because that's who He is. His character is excellent, unchanging, and full of steadfast love.
May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
(This blog was created from Stacy Long's original sermon using pulpit.ai)
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