Receiving the atonement means accepting God's gift of reconciliation with faith, acknowledging our need for salvation.
To receive the atonement is to embrace God's gracious provision for reconciliation through Christ. This act is not based on our merit, as highlighted in Romans 5:17, where we see that we receive abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness. It involves a personal acknowledgment of our sinful condition and a recognition that our salvation is solely the result of Christ's sacrificial work. As faith is the means by which we receive this gift, it transforms our alienation into fellowship with God. Accepting the atonement includes an understanding of our needs, a humility to accept grace, and a continual reliance on Christ for our standing before God.
Scripture References:
Romans 5:17, John 3:27, Ephesians 2:8-9
Commentary