I really appreciated the simple and logical reason why Jesus did what He did (Hebrews 2 ):
14 Because God's children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death. 15 Only in this way could he set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying. 16 We also know that the Son did not come to help angels; he came to help the descendants of Abraham. 17 Therefore, it was necessary for him to be made in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God. Then he could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people. 18 Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested.
Another powerful statement occurs a few verses before. The "L" in the TULIP of Calvanism suggests that Christ died for only a subset of humanity. However, I think Hebrews 2:9 at least suggests that Christ's work could be applied to everyone in the world (of course, I sadly acknowledge that wide is the gate to destruction and narrow is the way of the righteous):
9 What we do see is Jesus, who was given a position "a little lower than the angels"; and because he suffered death for us, he is now "crowned with glory and honor." Yes, by God's grace, Jesus tasted death for everyone.
This gives me hope to share the Gospel with everyone, because He tasted death for everyone.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for the death of your Son which takes away the sin of the people. Lord, I praise you for your powerful work and your perfect plan. Holy Spirit, I pray that you will use me and my life to bring many people to a saving knowledge and faith in the Son of God, Who is our compassionate High Priest and atoning sacrifice. I pray this in His name. Amen.
I agree that Christ died for everyone. The word "all" and "everyone" in Greek does not picture an exclusive set.
ReplyDeleteThe argument that God is all knowing, therefore, He must know who will accept and reject Him, therefore He died for a "select few;" is bogus to me.
My argument is derived from Romans 5:8, "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." The key phrase here is "while we were yet sinners". Christ died for the sinners, and Romans 3:23 says, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." So if Christ died for only a select few, then only the select few have sinned and have fallen short of God's glory. Because the word "all" in this verse, would only be directed to the select few that Christ died for.
If this is the case, where does "all" fit in with I Timothy 2:3-4, which reads, "For this [is] good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth."?
If that is the case, the how does I John 1:8 fit? It reads, "If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us."
Here's something to think about. If God knows that everyone will either accept or reject His plan of salvation; but limit Himself from knowing how they will choose (free will); does that take away the meaning of All Knowing? I think not.
I agree, mostly. I don't think it's necessary for God to limit His knowledge. I think the explanation comes from a distinction between God's preceptive and decretive wills. It is God's preceptive (based on precepts) will that no one sin and everyone have faith in Jesus Christ; it is God's decretive (decrees) will that the creation took place. I think (at least right now) that Jesus's atonement covers everyone's sins, except for the unforgiveable sin of unbelief (Mark 3:28-29).
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