Part 11 (1/2)

1 Tim. 2:6--”Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” It is for this reason, as the context of this pa.s.sage shows, that we may pray for all men. If all men were not capable of being saved, how then could we pray to that end?

2. FOR EACH INDIVIDUAL MAN.

This is but a detailed statement of the fact that He died for the whole world. Not a single individual man, woman, or child is excluded from the blessings offered in the atonement.

Heb. 2:9--”But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that he by the grace of G.o.d should taste death for every man.”

Leo the Great (461) affirmed that ”So precious is the shedding of Christ's blood for the unjust, that if the whole universe of captives would believe in the Redeemer, no chain of the devil could hold them.” General Booth once said: ”Friends, Jesus shed His precious blood to pay the price of salvation, and bought from G.o.d enough salvation to go around.”

3. FOR THE SINFUL, UNJUST, AND UNG.o.dLY.

Sinners of all sorts, degrees, and conditions may have a share in the redemptive work of Christ. Greece invited only the cultured, Rome sought only the strong, Judea bid for the religious only.

Jesus Christ bids all those that are weary and heavy-hearted and over-burdened to come to Him (Matt. 11:28).

Rom. 5:6-10--”Christ died for the unG.o.dly...While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us...When we were enemies, we were reconciled to G.o.d by the death of His Son.” 1 Pet. 3:18--”For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust.” Christ died for _sinners_--those in open opposition to G.o.d; for the _unjust_--those who openly violate G.o.d's laws; for the _unG.o.dly_--those who violently and brazenly refuse to pay their dues of prayer, wors.h.i.+p, and service to G.o.d; for _enemies_ --those who are constantly fighting G.o.d and His cause. For all of these Christ died.

1 Tim. 1:15--”Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.” Paul was a _blasphemer_, a _persecutor_, _injurious_ (v. 13), a _murderer_ (Acts 22 and 26), yet G.o.d saved him; he was included in the atonement. Note also that it is in this very connection that the apostle declares that the reason G.o.d saved him was in order that his salvation might be a pattern, or an encouragement to other great sinners, that G.o.d could and would save them, if they desired Him to do so.

4. FOR THE CHURCH.

There is a peculiar sense in which it may be said that Christ's death is for the Church, His body, the company of those who believe in Him. There is a sense in which it is perfectly true that Christ's death avails only for those who believe in Him; so in that sense it can be said that He died for the Church more particularly. He is ”the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe” (1 Tim.

4:10). Herein lies the truth that is contained in the theory of a limited atonement.

Eph. 5:25-27--”Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it.” Not for any one particular denomination; not for any one organization within any four walls; but for all those whom He calls to Himself and who follow Him here.

Gal. 2:20--”The Son of G.o.d, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”

Here the individual member of the Church, the body of Christ, is specifically mentioned as being included in the efficacy of the atonement. When Luther first realized this particular phase of the atonement, he was found sobbing beneath a crucifix, and moaning: ”Mein Gott, Mein Gott, Fur Mich! Fur Mich!”

1 Cor. 8:11--”And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?” Also Rom. 14:15. Note the connection in which this truth is taught. If Christ was willing to die for the weak brother--whom we, perchance, sneer at for his conscientious scruples--we ought to be willing to deny ourselves of some habit for his sake.

How all-inclusive, all-comprehensive, far-reaching is the death of Christ in its effects! Not a few, but many shall be saved. He gave his life a ransom for _many_. G.o.d's purposes in the atonement shall not be frustrated. Christ shall see of the travail of His soul, and shall be satisfied. Many shall come from the north, the south, the east and the west and sit down in the kingdom. In that great day it will be seen (Rev. 7:9-15).

VI. THE EFFECTS OF CHRIST'S DEATH.

1. IN RELATION TO THE PHYSICAL OR MATERIAL UNIVERSE.

Just as the material universe was in some mysterious manner affected by the fall of man (Rom. 8:19-23, R. V.), so also is it affected by the death of Jesus Christ, which is intended to neutralize the effect of sin upon the creation. There is a cosmical effect in the atonement. The Christ of Paid is larger than the second Adam--the Head of a new humanity; He is also the center of a universe which revolves around Him, and is in some mysterious way reconciled by His death. Just how this takes place we may not be able definitely to explain.

Col. 1:20--”And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.” Some day there shall be a new heaven and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness (2 Pet. 3:13). See also Heb. 9:23, 24; Isa. 11 and 35.

2. IN RELATION TO THE WORLD OF MEN.

a) The Enmity Existing Between G.o.d and Man is Removed:

Rom. 5:10; Col. 1:20-22. For explanation, see under Scriptural Definition of the Atonement ((II.3, p. 72). The ground of enmity between G.o.d and man--whether in the active or pa.s.sive sense of _reconciliation_--is removed by Christ's death. The world of mankind is, through the atonement, reconciled to G.o.d.

b) A Propitiation for the World's Sin Has Been Provided:

1 John 2:2; 4:10. See under Propitiation (II. 2, p. 71). The propitiation reaches as far as does the sin.

c) Satan's Power Over the Race Has Been Neutralized: