Thursday, May 31, 2012
The Final Sacrifice
"...and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness."
Hebrews 9:22b
In the Old Testament, priests offered sacrifices of bulls and goats day
after day, not to remove the sins of the people, but as a reminder of their
lack of fellowship with God because of their sinful ways.
These sacrifices were preparing them for the final sacrifice, the one Jesus
would make on behalf of the people for whom He was sent to save and
intercede.
The blood of animals could not take away the sins of the people. Only the
Messiah could do that with His perfect sacrifice of Himself on the cross.
"But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. For it is im-
possible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins." Hebrews 10:3-4
"Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again
and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But
when this priest (Jesus) had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, He sat
down at the right hand of God."
"Since that time He waits for His enemies to be made His footstool, because
by one sacrifice He has made perfect forever those who are being made holy."
Hebrews 10:11-14
After His death and ascension, Jesus sat down at the right hand of God the
Father, indicating His mission, obtaining salvation for His people, was
accomplished.
"He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but He entered
the Most Holy Place once for all by His own blood, having obtained eternal re-
demption." Hebrews 9:12
He did not obtain eternal redemption for Himself. There was no need for that,
as He was sinless. Jesus secured eternal redemption for His people!
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Jesus is a perfect Savior and intercessor.
"...but because Jesus lives forever, He has a permanent priesthood (unlike all
the others who eventually died). Therefore He is able to save completely those
who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them."
Hebrews 7:24-25
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Jesus' death removed His people's sins so we can serve God, something ani-
mal sacrifices could not do. He ransomed "the called" to set them free from sin.
"How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal
Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts
that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God."
"For this reason Christ is the Mediator of a new covenant, that those who are
called may receive the promised eternal inheritance - now that he has died as a
ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant."
Hebrews 9:14-15
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"Such is the marvel, the splendor, the wonder of Christ's sacrifice, that one
sacrifice for all time achieved what centuries and millenia of every other ritual
and effort could never accomplish."
"A Man of infinite worth, offering a soul of infinite worth, to a God of in-
finite holiness, for rebels with infinite guilt - and bang! just like that, they are
saved and reconciled and set apart to God by that one sacrifice."
Dan Phillips 'The World tilting Gospel'
"But now He has appeared once for all, at the end of the ages to do away with
sin by the sacrifice of Himself. Just as man is destined to die once, and after that
to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many
people; and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation
to those who are waiting for Him." Hebrews 9:26b-28
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God accomplished His will (the salvation of His people) perfectly, through
Jesus' death on the cross.
Monday, May 28, 2012
True Freedom
From the Revolutionary War all the way through the wars in Iraq and
Afghanistan, Americans owe a huge debt to those who have given their lives
fighting for the United States, so that today we might have freedom.
Of course, we should always be thankful for everyone who serves or has
served in the military.
We have so many freedoms that people elsewhere in the world do not
have - freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of the press, free-
dom to assemble, and the right to bear arms, among them.
Americans owe so much to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for
their country.
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We are truly blessed.
Christians are the most blessed people in the world. We have a Savior
who redeems us, forgives, reconciles us, justifies us, sanctifies us, and
ultimately saves us.
He has freed us from our prison of sin and death.
"It is for freedom that Christ has set us (His people) free. Stand firm
and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery."
Galatians 5:1
(Paul is referring to slavery to the law. We can never be good enough
to gain favor with God).
"You (believers) have been set free from sin and have become slaves
to righteousness." Romans 6:18
"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ
Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of Life set me free
from the law of sin and death." Romans 8:1-2
Jesus sets us (His people) free!
"To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, 'If you hold to my
teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and
the truth will set you free." John 8:31-32
"(Jesus said), 'So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.'"
John 8:36
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However, all of our freedoms from God would have been impossible
for us to obtain if Jesus had not died for us. He loved us so much that He
was willing to give His life as a substitutionary sacrifice for us.
"He himself bore our (His people) sins in His body on the tree, so that
we (His people) might die to sins and live for righteousness." 1 Peter 2:24
"For Christ died for sins once for all (time), the righteous for the un-
righteous, to bring you (His people) to God." 1 Peter 3:18a
"But God demonstrates His own love for us (His people) in this:
While we (His people) were still sinners, Christ died for us (His people)."
Romans 5:8
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Since He died for us, Jesus intercedes for us today, in the presence of
God the Father in heaven.
"...For He bore the sins of many, and made intercession for the trans-
gressors." Isaiah 53:12
Jesus saves completely those for whom He intercedes.
"But because Jesus lives forever, He has a permanent priesthood.
Therefore He is able to save completely those who come to God through
Him, because He always lives to intercede for them." Hebrews 7:24-25
Only one sacrifice was needed.
"He sacrificed for their sins for all (time), when He offered Himself."
Hebrews 7:27b
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Jesus has freed us so we can live with Him for eternity.
"For God did not appoint us (His people) to suffer wrath, but to re-
ceive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us (His people)
so that, whether we (His people) are awake or asleep, we (His people) may
live together with Him." 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10
**************************************
Thank you Jesus, for humbling yourself and making yourself nothing,
and being obedient to God the Father and giving yourself as a sacrifice for
our sins, so that we can be free and worship you forever. Amen
Saturday, May 26, 2012
"In Him"
Everyone, Christian and non-Christian alike, owes everything to Jesus Christ.
All blessings for all people come from Him.
*Jesus is the Creator.
"For by Him all things were created; things in heaven and on earth, visible
and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were
created by Him and for Him." Colossians 1:16
"...but in these last days he has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed
heir of all things, and through whom He made the universe." Hebrews 1:2
*Jesus is the only way to salvation.
"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven
given to men by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12
*Jesus is Sovereign, the ruler over all creation.
"I am the Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End."
Revelation 22:13
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*In Jesus, believers have life and salvation - everything we need.
"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he
will bear fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:5
*He has the power to heal.
"And the power of the Lord was present in Him to heal the sick." Luke 5:17b
*He justifies those who trust in Him.
"...He did it to demonstrate His justice at the present time, so as to be just and the
one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. Romans 3:26
*We are declared righteous because of Him.
"God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become
the righteousness of God." 2 Corinthians 5:21
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*We are reconciled to God through Him.
"All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ..."
2 Corinthians 5:18a
*Our hope is in Him.
"He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and He will deliver us. On Him we have
set our hope that He will deliver us again." 2 Corinthains 1:10
*He gives us all we need to serve Him.
"... that in every way you were enriched in Him in all speech and all knowledge."
1 Corinthians 1:5
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*God makes us stand firm in Him.
"And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ..." 2 Corinthians 1:21a
*God the Father chose us in Him for salvation.
"For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blame-
less in His sight." Ephesians 1:4a
*We were adopted into God's family through Him.
"In love He predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ, in
accordance with His pleasure and will." Ephesians 1:5
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*We are redeemed and our sins forgiven in Him.
"In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins..."
Ephesians 1:7
*We were marked in Him with a seal.
"Having believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy
Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those
who are God's possession - to the praise of His glory." Ephesians 1:13b-14
*Our faith in Him is a gift of God.
"For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on Him,
but also to suffer for Him... " Philippians 1:29
*******************************
*The fullness of God is in Him.
"For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him." Colossians 1:19
*All wisdom and knowledge are in Him.
"...Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."
Colossians 2:3
*There is light - no darkness in Him.
"God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all." 1 John 1:5
*If we are in Him, we will obey Him.
"But if anyone obeys His word, God's love is truly made complete in him.
This is how we know we are in Him: Whoever claims to live in Him must walk
as Jesus did." 1 John 2:5-6
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*There is no sin in Him.
"And in Him is no sin." 1 John 3:5b
*We know we live in Him by the Holy Spirit.
"Those who obey His commands live in Him, and He in them. And this is how
He lives in us: We know it by the Spirit He gave us." 1 John 3:24
*He is the one true God.
"And we are in Him who is true - even in His Son Jesus Christ. He is the true
God and eternal life." 1 John5:20
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*Everyone who is in Jesus is safe and secure, and will spend eternity with Him
in heaven.
"Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building
from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands." 2 Corinthians 5:1
Friday, May 25, 2012
Crown of Righteousness
"For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my
departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I
have kept the faith."
"Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the
Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me
but also to all who have loved his appearing." 2 Timothy 4:6-8
***********************
Paul knew death was coming soon, and he was reflecting back on his life
of faithfulness to God and His word.
A drink offering was part of the sacrificial system in the Old Testament,
and he used it as a metaphor, as his life was being poured out as a final sacri-
fice to God.
His "departure" was his death which was almost upon him.
Since he had been faithful to God and persevered, through His strength, to
the end, he was preparing for the reward he was about to receive from the Lord.
The "crown of righteousness" represents the eternal righteousness he will
have as a prize given to him by God, for his faithfulness to Him.
All believers receive the imputed righteousness of Jesus (justification)
at salvation, along with sanctification (being set apart for God).
The Bible also tells of the believer's glorification, which is a future gift that
is finalized when he dies and enters heaven and into the presence of God, ob-
taining a glorified body.
All believers look forward to the day when Christ appears at His second
coming to judge and set up His kingdom. That day gives Christians reason to
remain faithful to Him until they die or Jesus returns.
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Redemption Part 2
Redemption is the act of God that frees sinners from the bondage of sin
and the curse of the law, through Jesus Christ, and His death on the cross.
The following information comes from the book
Salvation Accomplished by the Son: The Work of Christ, by Robert A.
Peterson.
* Jesus purchased the church (His people) with His own blood.
"Be shepherds of the church of God, which He bought with His own
blood." Acts 20:28
* Jesus "purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people
and nation." Revelation 5:9
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* Redemption comes through Jesus Christ.
"...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified
freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus."
Romans 3:23-24
* Believers are redeemed already, but our final redemption is still future and
that is why we live in hope of it. It will be even greater, for it will involve our
being raised in bodies that are immortal, imperishable, glorious, powerful, and
dominated by the Spirit.
"...we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we
wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this
hope we were saved." Romans 8:23-24a
"So it will be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is
perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory;
it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised
a spiritual body." 1 Corinthians 15:42-44
"It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wis-
dom from God - that is, our righteousness, holiness, and redemption."
1 Corinthians 1:30
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* Our bodies belong to God three times over - by creation, redemption, and
indwelling.
* God called us to to live for Him no matter the circumstances.
"Keeping God's commands is what counts." 1 Corinthians 7:19b
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My Comment
*(The Bible is not pro slavery. It just addresses the situation many believers
found themselves in at the time. Freedom is a theme throughout the Bible).
Slaves made up the majority of the first century Roman world.
Slavery then was not like the slavery of the 18th and 19th centuries in America.
Many sold themselves to others just to make a living for themselves and their fam-
ilies. This was often a temporary situation.
Paul told the Corinthians believers to be content with the situation to which God
had called them, but they should gain their freedom if possible (1 Corinthians 7:21).
******************************************
* Christ bore the law's curse, its threat of punishment, that He might deliver His
people from it (Galatians 3:13). Here, legal, penal substitution and redemption
overlap.
Christ, redeems His people by giving Himself in death as a redeeming and aton-
ing self-sacrifice, receiving the punishment that we lawbreakers deserved.
He redeemed us so that in Christ Jesus, the blessing of Abraham might come to
the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith (Gal. 3:13-14).
********************************************
* How God accomplishes redemption:
The Father is the Elector; the Son is the Redeemer; and the Holy Spirit is the
seal and guarantee (Ephesians 1:14).
We receive an inheritance as children of God through redemption.
"But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born
under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons."
Galatians 4:4-5
We also receive forgiveness of sins.
"In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins..."
Ephesians 1:7a
* Jesus paid a ransom to God the Father to set His people free from sin.
We "WERE ransomed", not we "CAN BE ransomed" if we believe.
"... you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers,
not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of
Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot." 1 Peter 1:18-19
My Comment:
(A prisoner who has been ransomed will leave his prison and go home.
Likewise, a sinner who is a prisoner of sin, will leave his life of sin and follow
God, after the ransom has been paid. In other words, Jesus paid the ransom for
His people only, not for everyone in the world. Many will never believe, or have
died in their sin. Jesus did not pay their ransom).
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* Redemption in Revelation
"... To Him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by His blood."
Revelation 1:5
1. Jesus redeemed us because He loves us.
2. Jesus liberated us from sin by His blood.
3. Redemption's price is Christ's blood.
* Christ's death is effective It actually ransoms people so that they belong to God.
"... [He] has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve His God and Father."
Revelation 1:6a
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* Redemption in Hebrews:
Hebrews 9:11-15
Jesus appeared as High Priest and secured an eternal redemption. He entered the
Most Holy Place (in heaven, not earth).
He offered one sacrifice for all time, not many times. His self-offering does not
need to be repeated.
He didn't offer animal blood, but His own.
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* Redemption is Past, Present, and Future.
PAST
"They were purchased from among men and offered as firstfruits to God and the
Lamb." Revelation 14:4b
PRESENT
"For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us ino the
kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."
Colossians 1:13-14
FUTURE
"And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the
day of redemption." Ephesians 4:30
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Christ's death does not save every human, but saves all of God's people from every
people group, language, ethnic group, and country (Revelation 5:9).
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Redemption
Redemption is the act of God that frees sinners from the bondage of
sin and the curse of the law, through Jesus Christ, and His death on the cross.
All who have received Jesus Christ as Savior are set free by His offering
of Himself as a sacrifice to pay the penalty for the sins of His people.
"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ
Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of Life set me free
from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do in that
it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending His own Son in the
likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering." Romans 8:1-3a
*****************************************
"The Greek word translated 'redeemed' was often used to speak of buying
a slave's or debtor's freedom. Christ's death, because it was a death of substi-
tution for sin, satisfied God's justice and exhausted His wrath toward his elect,
so that Christ actually purchased believers from slavery to sin and from the
sentence of eternal death." John MacArthur
Redemption delivers us from the punishment we deserve for our sinfulness.
"Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us -
for it is written, 'Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree' - so that in Christ
Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might
receive the promised Spirit through faith."
"... And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according
to promise." Galatians 3:13-14, 29
We are adopted as His children through Jesus' act of redemption.
"But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of
woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we
might receive adoption as sons." Galatians 4:4-5
God promised to send His Spirit to His chosen people.
"And I will not hide my face anymore from them, when I pour out my Spirit
upon the house of Israel, declares the Lord God." Ezekiel 39:29
******************************************
Redemption comes through Jesus Christ.
"....for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and 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." Romans 3:23-25a
God declares us, His people, legally righteous (justification) through Jesus' death
on the cross.
God delivers us from Satan's kingdom, and forgives our sins through Jesus'
atoning work at Calvary.
"He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the
kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."
Colossians 1:13-14
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We belong to God, because His Son has paid the price for our redemption through
His blood.
"Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom
you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So
glorify God in your body." 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
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RANSOM
Jesus paid the ransom to obtain the freedom of His people.
"...even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life
as a ransom for many." Matthew 20:28
Many receive eternal life because of the ransom paid by Jesus.
The ransom was paid to God the Father, (not Satan, as some have taught), to satisfy
His wrath against us for our sins.
Jesus ransomed people for God from all over the world.
"...'Worthy are you to take the scroll, and to open its seals, for you were slain, and
by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people
and nation ..." Revelation 5:9
***********************************************
J.I. Packer, theologian commented on redemption.
"Redemption is Christ's actual substitutionary endurance of the penalty of sin in the
place of certain specified sinners, through which God was reconciled to them, their
liability to punishment was forever destroyed, and a title to eternal life was secured
for them."
"In consequence of this, they now have in God's sight, a right to the gift of faith, as the
means of entry to the enjoyment of their inheritance. Calvary, in other words, not merely
made possible the salvation of those for whom Christ died; it ensured that they would be
brought to faith and their salvation be made actual."
"The cross saves."
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Propitiation and Expiation
The atonement of Christ is the sacrificial work of Jesus in His death on
the cross to satisfy the wrath of God, with reconciliation accomplished for all
who will be redeemed.
Atonement was necessary because of our sinfulness, which required God's
punishment. Jesus became the substitute for His people's sins, as God the
Father imputed our sin to His Son, and gave us His righteousness in return.
***************************
"To grasp the depth and reason for the atonement, we must understand the
enormity of our sin. Sin is an evil of infinite magnitude, for it is committed
against an infinite Person, unto whom every creature is under infinite obliga-
tions of rendering unceasing and joyful obedience."
"This is why God's punishment of sin unatoned for will be eternal; neces-
sarily so for nothing less will fit the case, nothing less will satisfy Divine
justice. And this is why God could receive no satisfaction to His broken law
save from one that possessed infinite merits."
"Sin is coming short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23), which dishonors
God. Fallen people cannot restore God's honor and the sinner cannot be
pardoned until the law is followed completely. This is impossible for sinful
men. Only a mediator who is both Divine and human is able to bring full
satisfaction to God." (From 'The Satisfaction of Christ')
Before Christ died, only a spotless animal sacrifice without blemish was
acceptible to satisfy God's wrath against mankind for its sins.
Therefore, only a perfect, spotless, sinless human sacrifice would be
acceptable to God also. No ordinary human being is able to meet that
standard. Only God in human form could do that.
Jesus' death was a vicarious sacrifice, one given in the place of the sinner,
so that the person never has to face the penalty for his sin. Christ's atoning
work for His people brought total satisfaction to God the Father for all time.
********************************
Two fruits of the atonement of Christ are propitiation and expiation.
Propititation is the turning away of wrath by an offering. In relation to
soteriology (salvation), propitiation means placating or satisfying the wrath
of God by the atoning sacrifice of Christ. (Theopedia)
"But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the
law, although the Law and Prophets bear witness to it - the righteousness of
God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no dis-
tinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and 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."
Romans 3:21-25a
"Therefore He had to be made like His brothers in every respect, so that
He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to
make propitiation for the sins of the people." Hebrews 2:17
John MacArthur commments:
"By His partaking of a human nature, Christ demonstrated His mercy to
mankind and His faithfulness to God by satisfying God's requirement for
sin and thus obtaining for His people full forgiveness."
"In this is love, not that we have loved God, but that He loved us and sent
His Son to be the propitiation for our sins." 1 John 4:10
John wrote this epistle to recall believers to the fundamentals of the faith.
The words "we," "us," and "our" refer to God's people. Jesus died as a sub-
stitute for His people.
****************************
Expiation is God's removal of the sins of believers. The difference be-
tween expiation and propitiation is that the object of expiation is sin, not God.
One propitiates a person, and one expiates a problem.
"For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His steadfast love
toward those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does He
remove our transgressions from us." Psalm 103:12
(John the Baptist said), "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin
of the world." John 1:29
Here, the word "world" means humanity in general, not every person in the
world. Jesus' sacrifice for sin is efficacious only for those who believe.
"For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more."
Jeremiah 31:34b
This was God's proclamation to individual people and Israel as a nation.
Later, it also applied to all who believed in Christ for salvation.
"Because Christ's expiation of sin is indivisible, inexhaustible, and sufficient
to cover the guilt of all the sins that will ever be committed, God can clearly offer
it to all. Yet only the elect will respond and be saved, according to His eternal
purpose." John MacArthur
"No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I
will raise him up on the last day." John 6:44
*************************************
Jesus fully accomplished the Father's will through His atonement on the cross,
as a vicarious sacrifice for His people, removing and forgiving their sins.
Monday, May 14, 2012
Definite Atonement
The atonement of Christ is the sacrificial work of Jesus for sinners.
In His death on the cross, Christ atoned for the sins of humanity such
that God is satisfied and reconciliation is accomplished for all who will
be redeemed (Theopedia).
"For if while we were enemies we were
reconciled to God by the death of His Son,
much more, now that we are reconciled,
shall we be saved by His life. More than
that, we also rejoice in God through our
Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have
now received reconciliation."
Romans 5:10-11
Jesus' death accomplished much more than just making people saveable.
His death actually saved His people and reconciled them to God the Father.
"All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to
Himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is
in Christ God was reconciling the world to Himself, not
counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us
the message of reconciliation."
"Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making His
appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be
reconciled to God."
"For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so
that in Him we might become the righteousness of God."
2 Corinthians 5:18-21
John MacArthur's Commentary on 2 Corinthians 5:19
"The word "world" should not be interpreted in any universalistic sense,
which would say that everyone will be saved, or even potentially reconciled.
"World" (the word "world" has many different meanings in the New Testa-
ment) here refers to the entire sphere of mankind or humanity, the category
of beings to whom God offers reconciliation - people from every ethnic
group, without distinction."
"The intrinsic merit of Christ's reconciling death is infinite and the offer
is unlimited. However, actual atonement was made only for those who be-
lieve. The rest of humanity will pay the price for their own sin in eternal
hell."
John MacArthur's Commentary on 2 Corinthians 5:21
"God the Father, using the principle of imputation, treated Christ as if He
were a sinner though He was not, and had Him die as a substitute to pay the
penalty for the sins for those who believe in Him." (Isaiah 53:4-6; Gal. 3:
10-13; 1 Peter 2:24)
"As Christ was not a sinner, but was treated as if He were, so believers,
who have not yet been made righteous (until glorification) are treated as if
they were righteous. He bore their sins so that they could bear His righteous-
ness. God treated Him as if He committed believers' sins, and treats believers
as if they did only the righteous deed of the sinless Son of God."
***************************************
Though Christ's death is of infinite value and is sufficient to redeem every
man (had this been God's intention), the true intention of Christ's death was
to accomplish effectively the full salvation of His people, and His people only
(a definite atonement). Theopedia
Obviously, only His people, the elect, are atoned for and reconciled with God,
because unbelievers are still in their sins and Jesus has not atoned for them.
****************************************
In the Old Testament, the high priest offered the sacrifice for his people who
drew near to God, not for everyone in the world. He didn't offer sacrifice for the
Egyptians or the Assyrians - only for those of his people who were faithful to God.
However, these sacrifices were only temporary and had to be performed over and
over.
On the other hand, Jesus offered Himself as the sacrifice for His people, and enters
into the presence of the Father to provide intercession for those for whom He died.
His sacrifice was once for all time and never needs to be repeated.
"Since then we have a great high priest who
has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the
Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.
For we do not have a high priest who is unable
to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one
who in every respect has been tempted as we
are, yet without sin."
Hebrews 5:14-15
Jesus was the sacrifice and the high priest - the Offerer and the Offering for
His people, and their mediator and intercessor with the Father.
Jesus was the perfect sacrifice and saves completely through His death and
resurrection. He is the only High Priest we need.
"The former priests were many in number,
because they were prevented by death from
continuing in office, but He holds His priest-
hood permanently, because He continues
forever."
"Consequently, He is able to save to the
uttermost those who draw near to God
through Him,
since He always lives to make intercession
for them."
Hebrews 7:23-25
Sacrifice is no longer needed to satisfy God the Father's wrath.
***********************************
James White comments on definite atonement:
"I believe Jesus saves everyone for whom He dies and He intercedes
for them. Who do you think Jesus intercedes for today?"
"In the old testament, the high priest offered the sacrifice. He had to
present the blood of the sacrifice in the Holy Place, and everyone for whom
he offered the sacrifice, was those for whom he interceded."
"Jesus is interceding today in heaven in the presence of the Father
specifically for those He's going to save. Do you really think He's interced-
ing for those who will spend eternity in hell, and failing in His intercession?"
*************************************
Tom Ascol comments on definite atonement:
"Jesus actually redeemed everyone He intended to redeem when He
shed His blood on the cross.
"Just as the high priest under the old covenant wore the names of the
twelve tribes of Israel on his breastplate when he performed his sacrificial
service, so our Great High Priest (Jesus), under the new covenant, had the names
of His people inscribed on His heart as He offered up Himself as a sacrifice for
their sins."
"He Himself, bore our (His people) sins in His
body on the tree, that we might die to sin and
live to righteousness."
1 Peter 2:24a
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Could Lazarus Have Refused To Come Out?
"For just as the Father raises the dead and gives
them life, even so the Son gives life to whom
He is pleased to give it." John 5:21
We all know the story of Lazarus, and how Jesus raised him from the dead,
even though he had been in the tomb for four days.
Jesus loved Lazarus (the messenger told him, "Lord, the one you love is sick"
(John 11:5), but He waited two days to go and see about him. Jesus knew that
God the Father would use Him to bring glory to Himself and lead many to be-
lieve in Him, through the raising of Lazarus from the dead."
When Jesus finally reached the tomb and cried out in a loud voice, "Lazarus,
com out," could Lazarus have refused to do so? Could he have said, "No thanks,
I like it in here. It's nice and cool and quiet. No kids to bother me. I'll just stay
right here?" Could he?
The answer will be obvious as you read further.
******************************
Jesus told the people gathered around to remove the stone in front of the tomb.
When Martha told him that he had been dead four days and there would be an
odor, Jesus replied," Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the
glory of God?" Jesus knew a great miracle was about to take place, bringing
glory to God.
Jesus prayed aloud, "Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I know that
you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that
they may believe you have sent me." John 11:41b-42
Then, Jesus cried out in a loud voice, " Lazarus, come out." Lazarus appeared
from the tomb, with his hands and feet bound by linen strips, and a cloth on his
face. Jesus told the people to "unbind him, and let him go." John 11:43-44
**********************************
Jesus went to Bethany to show the people God's mighty power and to lead
many of them to salvation in Him. He knew that He was going to raise Lazarus
from the dead, and God would receive the glory for it.
He knew that when He called out to Lazarus to come forth from the grave, that
Lazarus would obey and come out. Lazarus' death and resurrection were a picture
of what happens to people who are dead in their sins (Ephesians 2), and are re-
generated (born again) by God so that they CAN and WILL have faith and believe
in Him.
Those whom God the Father has given to His Son, WILL COME to Him, and
He will never cast them out.
"All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I
will never drive away. For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but
to do the will of Him who sent me. And this is the will of Him who sent me, that
I shall lose none of all that He has given me, but raise them up at the last day. For
my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall
have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day." John 6:37-40
Those given to Jesus are the elect (Ephesians 1:4-6; 2 Thessalonians 2:13) and
they WILL COME to Him and He will never drive them away.
This is the doctrine of "Irresistible Grace."
********************************
Theopedia, an encyclopedia of Christianity, defines "Irresistible Grace" as:
"The doctrine that teaches that the saving grace of God is effectually applied to
those whom He has determined to save, (because of His sovereign will
and purpose), whereby in God's timing, He overcomes their resistance to the call
of the gospel and irresistibly brings them to a saving faith in Christ."
"Rather, the willingness and ability to do God's will are evidence of God's
own faithfulness to save men from the power and penalty of sin, and since man
is so corrupt that he will not decide and cannot be wooed to follow after God,
sovereign efficacious grace is required to convert him."
"This is done by the regeneration of the Holy Spirit whereby a fallen man who
has heard the gospel is made willing and necessarily turns to Christ in God-given
faith."
*********************************
Coming to Jesus is a gift.
"For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who
would betray Him. He went on to say, "This is why I told you that no one can come
to me unless the Father has enabled him." John 6:64b-65
This gift is given to some and not to others. Jesus knew from the beginning
that Judas would not believe in Him, in spite of all the teachings and invitations
he received. Judas was not given to Jesus. There were many good influences on
his life for good, but the decisive, irresistible gift of grace was not given to him.
****************************
John Murray (1898-1975), theologian who helped found Westminster
Theological Seminary, said of "irresistible grace:"
"When a sinner comes to Christ in the commitment of faith, when the rebellious
will is renewed and tears of penitence begin to flow, it is because a mysterious trans-
action has been taking place between the persons of the Godhead."
"The Father has been making a presentation, a donation to His own Son. So
perish the thought that coming to Christ finds its explanation in the autonomous
determination of the human will."
"It finds its cause in the sovereign will of God the Father. He has placed upon
this person the constraint by which he has been captivated by the glory of the
Redeemer, and invests in him all his interests. Christ is made wisdom from God,
righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. Here is grace, surpassing; and
it is grace insurmountable."
********************************
John Calvin, one of the great Reformers of the 16th century said of "irresistible
grace:"
"It is not violent, so as to compel men by external force, but still it is a
powerful impulse of the Holy Spirit, which makes men willing who formerly were
unwilling and reluctant."
John Gill, theologian said of the doctrine:
"This act of drawing (John 6:44) is an act of power, yet not of force; God
in drawing of unwilling, makes willing in the day of His power. He enlightens
the understanding, bends the will, gives a heart of flesh, sweetly allures by the
power of His grace, and engages the soul to come to Christ, and give up itself to
Him; He draws with bands of love."
*******************************
God makes His people alive through Christ.
"But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with
which he loved us (believers), even when we were dead in our trespasses, MADE
US ALIVE TOGETHER WITH CHRIST - by grace you have been saved."
Ephesians 2:4-5
*********************************
James White, theologian and author wrote:
"Irresistible grace is simply the confession that when God chooses to
raise His people to spiritual life, He does so without the fulfillment of any condi-
tion on the part of the sinner."
"Just as Christ had the power and authority to raise Lazarus to life
without obtaining his "permission" to do so, He is able to raise His elect to
spiritual life with just as certain a result."
(Jesus said), " For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them
life, so even so the Son gives life to whom He is pleased to give it."
John 5:21
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