"Reconciling Atonement"

Reconciling Atonement: Seeing God More Clearly

Discover how Reconciling Atonement can change your perspective on faith. Dive into Pastor April Morse’s message and unlock a clearer view of God's love.

A few weeks ago, Elder Marcia Bumpers delivered a message that stirred something deep within me. As I sat with her words, I couldn’t shake the sense that what she shared was more than just timely, it was prophetic. And today, I want to bring us back to that message and take a deeper look at the shift she described.

Elder Marcia said, “There is a shift that’s going on.” And I believe that’s exactly where we are—being ushered into something new, whether we feel ready or not. It’s a renewed understanding of the Creator who lives inside of us. And if we’re willing, we can begin to see and live in this shift.

What Is a Paradigm Shift?

We’ve talked about this before, a paradigm shift is when a foundational perspective or belief changes due to new understanding. Originally coined in the scientific world, it describes a moment when evidence forces a complete rethink of the way things have always been done.

A classic example? The belief that the earth was flat—until someone realized it was round. That single revelation changed maps, navigation, and humanity’s understanding of the world. Just like that, their worldview shifted, and nothing was the same again.

In the same way, we’re in the midst of a spiritual paradigm shift—a moment where God is revealing a fuller picture of who He is and who we are in Him.

Position Changes Perspective

This year’s word for our community is "Position yourselves, stand, and see." That ties directly into what we’re experiencing.

When you change your position, your perspective changes. A new line of sight reveals clarity where there was once confusion. Sometimes we’ve only seen a small sliver of the picture, and the rest was filled in by assumptions, old teachings, or fear. But when God moves us into the position He designed for us, He begins to clear the window.

The blurry becomes sharp. The confusion fades. And suddenly, what felt incomplete or misaligned begins to make sense.

Letting Go of the Old Lens

Elder Marcia also reminded us that our minds might resist this new perspective. Why? Because our old belief systems are deeply rooted. We often assume that if something doesn’t make sense, we’re the problem. But maybe the system didn’t work for us because it was never complete.

I spent years thinking I was the issue—struggling with a limited understanding of God, trying to reconcile what I was taught with what I felt in my spirit. But God was patient. He kept showing me glimpses of the truth. One day, I heard a personal word from Him: “It’s okay to be me.”

That moment began a journey of healing. Layer by layer, God began to uncover the full picture—not all at once, but just enough to bring peace and revelation. That’s what this paradigm shift is about: seeing God as He truly is and seeing ourselves as He created us to be.

A Closer Look at God’s Intention

Let’s look at 1 John 4:9-10:

"In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins."

That word—propitiation—is often misunderstood. Many interpret it through an old lens, as if Jesus had to appease an angry God. But that doesn’t align with the loving, unchanging God we know.

Let’s break it down:

• Propitiation comes from a word meaning “to be merciful” and “to make reconciliation for.”

• It’s not about satisfying divine anger; it’s about restoring relationships.

• God wasn’t angry and distant—He was always drawing us closer.

Jesus didn’t come to change God’s mind about us—He came to change our minds about God.

Reconciliation: Fixing What Was Broken

When we reconcile financial records at the end of a month, we look for what doesn’t balance, and we fix it. That’s exactly what Jesus does with us.

He steps into our mess and says, “Let me fix it.” He is the reconciler—not just of our sins, but of our understanding.

In 1 John 2:1-2, Jesus is called our advocate—the same word used for the Holy Spirit: paraclete. It means helper, counselor, representative. Jesus isn’t standing before God pleading for mercy on our behalf. He is with God, proving to us that we were always welcome.

Atonement: At-One-Ment

The word atonement can also be read as “at-one-ment.” Jesus came to bring us back into oneness with God. This isn’t about payment, it’s about participation. Inclusion. Restoration.

As theologian C. Baxter Kruger puts it:

“The atonement is not about Jesus changing God's mind about us. It’s about Jesus changing our mind about God.”

Jesus reveals the eternal love of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The cross is not a transaction, it’s a transformation. Not punishment, but healing.

Chew On This

If you take one thing from today, let it be this: God has always loved you. His intention has always been life. Jesus came not to change God—but to reveal Him.

Let’s keep positioning ourselves to see Him clearly. Let’s welcome the shift.

A Closing Prayer

Father God, thank You for Your goodness and mercy. Thank You for reconciling us back to our original place—in You. You imagined us, breathed life into us, and continue to hold us in every moment. As we walk through this paradigm shift, help us release the old and embrace the truth of who You are. Comfort us, Holy Spirit, as we grow. Reveal Your heart more and more until the full picture is clear.  Amen.