Since we had so much fun playing the game "Follow the Pronouns" earlier this
week, let's play it again, but with a twist this time.
We'll follow the pronouns again, but if we look closely we can see for whom
Christ atoned with His death on the cross. Didn't Jesus atone for everyone when He
died? Well, no!
Atonement means "to reconcile." In this case, we're referring to Jesus' atonement.
Did Jesus' death reconcile everyone to God? No, only those who have trusted in Him
for salvation have been reconciled to God. All others are still hostile toward God and
His word.
Therefore, we can correctly conclude that Jesus' atonement on the cross was a
"limited" or "definite atonement," for His people.
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When playing the game "Follow the Pronouns," remember that anytime the pronouns
"we" or "us" are used, they refer to believers (elect). "He," "His," 'Him," and "Your"
refer to God.
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"28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those
who are called according to HIS purpose. 29 For those whom HE foreknew HE also predestined
to be conformed to the image of HIS Son, in order that HE might be the firstborn among many
brothers."
30 "And those whom HE predestined HE also called, and those whom HE called HE also
justified, and those whom HE justified HE also glorified."
31 "What then shall WE say to these things? If God is for US, who can be against US?
32 HE who did not spare HIS own Son but gave HIM up for US all, how will HE not also with
HIM graciously give US all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is
God who justifies."
34 "Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died - more than that, who was raised -
who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for US. 35 Who shall separate US
from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness,
or danger, or sword?"
36 "As it is written, 'For YOUR sake WE are being killed all the day long; WE are regarded
as sheep to be slaughtered.' 37 No, in all these things WE are more than conquerors through
HIM who loved US."
38 "For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present nor
things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be
able to separate US from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."
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Paul wrote these words for believers. The words "us all" refers to believers only, and not
to everyone who ever lived. The phrase, "[God] who did not spare His own Son, but gave
Him for us all," describes for whom Jesus atoned on the cross - His people.
Daryl Wingerd comments: "In this passage, the same people whom God foreknew,called,
justified, and glorified, are those for whom He sacrificed His Son ("us all" in verse 32). The
same people will receive 'all things' (verse 32). So if the Father sent Jesus to die for everyone,
then all men everywhere can expect to receive 'all things.'" (Certainly only believers would
be the only ones to qualify for these gifts, not those who die in their sins without Christ).
Wingerd continues, "But in verse 33, the same group is referred to as 'the elect,' or chosen.
(These are the people for whom Christ intercedes with the Father - verse 34).
Continuing then, with verses 38-39, we see that the elect, those for whom Christ is sacrificed,
are the same ones who can never be separated from the love of God."
"If Paul were saying God delivered up Jesus for everyone, then NO ONE will ever be sep-
arated from the love of God. The objects of the atonement, and the recipients of God's ever-
lasting love in Christ are both said to be the same group of people - the elect."
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"God chose a people for salvation out of the mass of fallen humanity. He gave those
chosen people to Christ as a bride for Him to save and sanctify. And in perfect keeping
with the Father's will, Jesus gave His life as a sacrifice to save His people from their sins."
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