I'm preaching through the Gospel according to John and a particular passage jumped out at me like at no other time before. Here it is:
John 8:24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am, ye shall die in your sins.
This one verse can turn one's entire view of the atonement on its end. I, as well as many of you, have been taught, listened to many sermons, read many books and studied about the atonement and its extent. What does this verse say about the atonement.
At the cross, where Jesus laid down his life, a price was paid. A debt was paid. A punishment was endured. A transaction was made. However, the legal effects of this sacrifice, as pertaining to a sinners guilt before God, only become real or transacted at the moment that the sinner/guilty believes in Jesus, the great I Am. Unbelief, the refusal to accept Jesus as God in the flesh(and thus his teachings), results in one being judged guilty and sent to eternal punishment for their own sins. Mark 16:16 (for those of you who have not cut it from your texts) reinforces this concept that, "the wrath of God remains upon them that believe not."(Henry, vol5, pg 989)
What happens at salvation then is this. Jesus does not die again every time someone believes for the Scriptures plainly teach that Jesus died once. But, at the moment someone believes, the price that Jesus paid is applied to the debt, sin, of the believing. Not before, not some second blessing later but at the moment of belief.
Jesus did not universally pay a debt that rendered all men sinless. At the cross, Jesus paid the debt for those who had died in belief. Hebrews 11 has a list of many, though it is not exclusive to them alone as being the only ones who died in belief. But the forward application of the cross only takes place when a person "believes" in Jesus as the great I Am. At the cross then, the payment was "actual" for those before the Christ, and is "potential" for those coming after the Christ. It is kind of like the miracle of II Kings 4:1-6. As long as there are vessels to be filled, the oil will keep pouring and will not stay until there are no more vessels to fill. The blood of Jesus shed at the cross, like such, will keep paying the sin debts of those who believe until there remains no more to believe. The cross, like the pot of oil, has great potential to fill many. But its application stops once there are no more who believe.
Who then can be saved? Whosoever will, let him come. For Jesus' payment will be applied to your debt at the moment salvation is graced upon you. But know this, refusal to have faith in Jesus, the great I Am, and you will die in your sins and YOU will eternally pay your debt of sin. It is not enough to know his teachings. It is not enough to believe he is a prophet. It is not enough to believe he was a good man. He must be received, by faith, as the Christ, the Messiah, the Lamb of God. If there is an empty vessel, there is oil to fill it.
Showing posts with label ATONEMENT. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ATONEMENT. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
WHO CAN BE SAVED?
Revelation 22:18-19 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: and if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
These two verses are interesting in so many ways but there is just one aspect of these verses I would like to consider at this time. The idea to consider is that "God shall take away his part out of the book of life". I have searched commentaries and many have either skipped over this or glossed over it. And yet, this single phrase is so bound with truth. The argument amongst many 4pt vs 5pt Calvinists usually exists in the area of the extent of the atonement. This debate not only exists amongst themselves but also amongst Calvinists and non-Calvinists as well. How this phrase is interpreted can tie knots in our theology IF our theology is built more on philosophy than the revealed Word of God. So let us look at this phrase very closely and see what God has revealed to us.
The first clue to the understanding of this phrase is actually in verse 17. The Gospel call is universal in scope and is not bound by any limits whatsoever. "Whosoever will" is as broad a call as a call can be. The call is made to all men without distinction of any sort. The call made to all men is genuine without any reservation of any sort. It is not just a Gospel for the "elect". It is the Gospel for the WHOLE WORLD. The Gospel is Good News TO AND FOR all. How does that impact verse 19 then you may be wondering?
The idea that Christians can lose their salvation is not in sight here, that is one thing that is for sure. But that is NOT the MAIN idea of that phrase. There is a difference between having your name removed verses having your place removed. In the book of life, there is a "place" for all names to be written down. Just because there is a place for that name does not mean that all will be written down. For example, here in Louisiana, when we go to vote, there are many names recorded in a register. The only ones who can vote are those who sign their names in their place. There is the offer to all to vote, but only the signer can vote.(Please do not push this illustration too far, it will fail as will ALL of men's illustrations but its reason for being used illustrates clearly what is being said.) I'll say it once again. The book of life, as it were, has an available place for ALL. The all here is not just without distinction, but all in its entirety. The call of verse 17 illustrates that. However, those who reject the truth of God's word or add to God's word will/can not be saved but not only that, they will LOSE/FORFEIT their opportunity to be saved, their place will be removed. II Thessalonians 2:11-12 teach the same thing. Listen. "And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness." For what cause? It is mentioned in verse 10 and verse 12. The did not receive or believe the truth! And the sending of the strong delusion is equivalent to having your place removed from the book of life. When that happens, there is no hope of salvation. When the truth of salvation by faith in Jesus is rejected, what other alternative is there to salvation? There is none. God's word teaches that there can come a point in time where a line can be crossed and one can forfeit any hope of ever being saved. Not that they would want to be as is clear from their rejection of the truth and Jesus.
Why then is this important? Because 5pt Calvinism teaches that there is only a chosen group that can be saved and that the others, though the Gospel they may hear, cannot respond nor would they want to respond because they are not among the chosen. I am saying, that is not so. The opportunity for ALL to be saved is apparent in Revelation 22:17-19. I am saying that the Gospel offer to any is a genuine offer and has potential. What the person does in response to that offer is what determines one's eternity.
In conclusion, I am not saying ALL will be saved. I am saying that the opportunity for ALL to be saved is legitimate. There IS NOT a secret list in heaven of those who can be.(while I believe it is known who will be). There IS the book of life. Upon those pages, every human born into this world has a place in the book and the opportunity of having their name written in their place if they will receive/believe the truth. Rejection of that truth can and will result in losing that opportunity and not only that, but the place as well. The Scriptures testify that TO DAY if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts...
These two verses are interesting in so many ways but there is just one aspect of these verses I would like to consider at this time. The idea to consider is that "God shall take away his part out of the book of life". I have searched commentaries and many have either skipped over this or glossed over it. And yet, this single phrase is so bound with truth. The argument amongst many 4pt vs 5pt Calvinists usually exists in the area of the extent of the atonement. This debate not only exists amongst themselves but also amongst Calvinists and non-Calvinists as well. How this phrase is interpreted can tie knots in our theology IF our theology is built more on philosophy than the revealed Word of God. So let us look at this phrase very closely and see what God has revealed to us.
The first clue to the understanding of this phrase is actually in verse 17. The Gospel call is universal in scope and is not bound by any limits whatsoever. "Whosoever will" is as broad a call as a call can be. The call is made to all men without distinction of any sort. The call made to all men is genuine without any reservation of any sort. It is not just a Gospel for the "elect". It is the Gospel for the WHOLE WORLD. The Gospel is Good News TO AND FOR all. How does that impact verse 19 then you may be wondering?
The idea that Christians can lose their salvation is not in sight here, that is one thing that is for sure. But that is NOT the MAIN idea of that phrase. There is a difference between having your name removed verses having your place removed. In the book of life, there is a "place" for all names to be written down. Just because there is a place for that name does not mean that all will be written down. For example, here in Louisiana, when we go to vote, there are many names recorded in a register. The only ones who can vote are those who sign their names in their place. There is the offer to all to vote, but only the signer can vote.(Please do not push this illustration too far, it will fail as will ALL of men's illustrations but its reason for being used illustrates clearly what is being said.) I'll say it once again. The book of life, as it were, has an available place for ALL. The all here is not just without distinction, but all in its entirety. The call of verse 17 illustrates that. However, those who reject the truth of God's word or add to God's word will/can not be saved but not only that, they will LOSE/FORFEIT their opportunity to be saved, their place will be removed. II Thessalonians 2:11-12 teach the same thing. Listen. "And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness." For what cause? It is mentioned in verse 10 and verse 12. The did not receive or believe the truth! And the sending of the strong delusion is equivalent to having your place removed from the book of life. When that happens, there is no hope of salvation. When the truth of salvation by faith in Jesus is rejected, what other alternative is there to salvation? There is none. God's word teaches that there can come a point in time where a line can be crossed and one can forfeit any hope of ever being saved. Not that they would want to be as is clear from their rejection of the truth and Jesus.
Why then is this important? Because 5pt Calvinism teaches that there is only a chosen group that can be saved and that the others, though the Gospel they may hear, cannot respond nor would they want to respond because they are not among the chosen. I am saying, that is not so. The opportunity for ALL to be saved is apparent in Revelation 22:17-19. I am saying that the Gospel offer to any is a genuine offer and has potential. What the person does in response to that offer is what determines one's eternity.
In conclusion, I am not saying ALL will be saved. I am saying that the opportunity for ALL to be saved is legitimate. There IS NOT a secret list in heaven of those who can be.(while I believe it is known who will be). There IS the book of life. Upon those pages, every human born into this world has a place in the book and the opportunity of having their name written in their place if they will receive/believe the truth. Rejection of that truth can and will result in losing that opportunity and not only that, but the place as well. The Scriptures testify that TO DAY if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts...
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Limited Atonement: Thoughts to Contemplate
From the outset, let me say, I do not have an ax to grind with anyone. I do believe like others that iron sharpens iron and so I trust that you will consider what I write though it may be contrary to what you think. I myself am not an espousing five point Calvinist. That being said, I have a lot of respect for D. James Kennedy, John MacArthur, A.W. Pink and my uncle(five pointer). I also understand that there are many different ideas about who or what is really a Calvinist. My admonition is to adhere to I Corinthians 3:3-9.
I do believe in Limited Atonement but not as defined by Calvinists. I do not believe that all men will be saved. I'm NOT a Universalist. So I believe that the number of people that will be saved is limited and to that respect, I believe the Atonement is limited. I believe that the Atonement is Universal in its provision but is limited in its application. However, the limit is due to man's stubbornness and rebellion, not due to election or non-election(reprobation).
The passage to ponder is John 3:14-15. Jesus is speaking to Nicodemus about being born again. Jesus in his instruction to Nicodemus refers to Numbers 21 where God had sent fiery serpents upon a rebellious people and for healing, Moses was to raise a brass serpent upon a pole and all who were bit could look at God's provision and be healed. Here's my point. Jesus used this illustration to refer to His own crucifixion. The healing was to be for "whosoever" in verse 15 and 16 of John 3. Who is the "whosoever"? The "whosoever" is whosoever has been "bitten" and is dying, without which looking to the cross, men will die. Christ's death was for anyone and everyone who has been bitten(sin nature). That is what qualifies someone to look. They must be bitten. And what say the Scriptures, ALL have sinned and come short of the glory of God. To whom was the Atonement provided for, ALL who have sinned and come short of the glory of God. While one may be spiritually dead, if he is physically alive, he is not entirely dead. The Numbers 21 illustration shows that while man is going to die without looking, he is not so dead that he(of his own choice), can't look. Indeed, I would say it is of necessity that he look or he shall die. No, I do not believe the Bible teaches "Limited Atonement" from the provisional perspective. I also understand that if one point of the five fails, the others become weak as well. For that reason, I understand the urgency some feel to defend "Limited Atonement". To me, the concept of Limited Atonement cannot stand up under the weight of John 3:14.
Have a grace filled day...
Luke
I do believe in Limited Atonement but not as defined by Calvinists. I do not believe that all men will be saved. I'm NOT a Universalist. So I believe that the number of people that will be saved is limited and to that respect, I believe the Atonement is limited. I believe that the Atonement is Universal in its provision but is limited in its application. However, the limit is due to man's stubbornness and rebellion, not due to election or non-election(reprobation).
The passage to ponder is John 3:14-15. Jesus is speaking to Nicodemus about being born again. Jesus in his instruction to Nicodemus refers to Numbers 21 where God had sent fiery serpents upon a rebellious people and for healing, Moses was to raise a brass serpent upon a pole and all who were bit could look at God's provision and be healed. Here's my point. Jesus used this illustration to refer to His own crucifixion. The healing was to be for "whosoever" in verse 15 and 16 of John 3. Who is the "whosoever"? The "whosoever" is whosoever has been "bitten" and is dying, without which looking to the cross, men will die. Christ's death was for anyone and everyone who has been bitten(sin nature). That is what qualifies someone to look. They must be bitten. And what say the Scriptures, ALL have sinned and come short of the glory of God. To whom was the Atonement provided for, ALL who have sinned and come short of the glory of God. While one may be spiritually dead, if he is physically alive, he is not entirely dead. The Numbers 21 illustration shows that while man is going to die without looking, he is not so dead that he(of his own choice), can't look. Indeed, I would say it is of necessity that he look or he shall die. No, I do not believe the Bible teaches "Limited Atonement" from the provisional perspective. I also understand that if one point of the five fails, the others become weak as well. For that reason, I understand the urgency some feel to defend "Limited Atonement". To me, the concept of Limited Atonement cannot stand up under the weight of John 3:14.
Have a grace filled day...
Luke
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