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Reaching forth...

By God's grace, still presenting the same message from the same Book...

The nature of Christ's atonement: Three views

My hope is that by showing these three basic views of the atonement, that each serious reader will be better able to differentiate between the different things people say about the subject of the atonement.

In general terms three apposing, different views of the atonement are presented here.

1 ] One view of the atonement is that it is for each and every person, and each and every person shall be saved.

2 ] Another view of the atonement is the atonement was payment sufficient for, and for all people. The atonement was not mere payment of the debt of a few, some predestined, the elect; but, neither does it save all men, and the atonement was no guarantee that any would be saved for all could have rejected salvation. The atonement was such that God can now honorably and justly forgive any man his sin who repents and accepts Christ as his Saviour. With this, coming to Christ is left to the volition of men with no more interference from God for one person than another. All men are of equal standing as regards their coming to Christ, as God does not influence one man more than another. Accordingly, it is reasonable to say that if one man comes to Christ all should, as all men are equal, no difference in them as regards coming to Christ, and as God does not interfere with this, God showing no favor to one more than another. As well, if one man does not come to Christ, then none should come to Christ.

Before explaining the third view, I'll say a few words in preparation. We know some are saved, and some are finally lost. We also know, from the Scriptures, that God does make one man different from another. No man is to glory in what he has received, as though he did not receive it. God makes one man differ from another, and one man does come to Christ, and another does not, so men are shown to be different. If God makes men different, that one comes to Christ, and another does not, then God is shown directly and solely instrumental in men coming to Christ. With that said, consider the third view of the atonement.

3 ] With this view of the atonement, sometimes referred to as particular redemption, or limited atonement, the difference is not in men. Men are not saved because one is better than another, and salvation is not caused by man's decision. Yet none are saved without repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. There are those chosen before the foundation of the earth, referred to as the beloved, and not one of them will be lost, but will come to repentance and be saved from their sins. Salvation is of the Lord, as there are none righteous, none that understand, and none that seek after God. Not according to the volition of men, but by direct intervention of God, some are saved. You must be born again. This new birth is not accomplished by the volition of man, any more than the first birth, the physical birth is a result of their choice. Jesus saves!

All have sinned and come short of the glory of God, there is none righteous, there is none that understand, their is none that seek after God. Further, it is written,

John 3:19-20
19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
KJB

Any reasonable person will admit some are saved, but it is written, every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light. All have sinned is the testimony of Scripture. None are righteous. There is none that doeth good, no not one. But some claim evil men come to the light on their own. Some claim men come to Christ, with no intervention by our God, no difference in how God deals with the one saved, than how the one is dealt with that finally perishes in hell fire.

Ps 14:3
3 They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
KJB

Ps 53:3
3 Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
KJB

Eccl 7:20
20 For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.
KJB

Rom 3:12
12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
KJB

Some claim to have received salvation, saying they were born again by their choice and not by the Lord working in them different than He works in a person that is finally lost and burns in hell fire. I say to you that they are deceived about that. Salvation is of the Lord. Jesus saves.

The Holy Spirit testifies with our spirit, that we are the children of God. But merit mongers wag themselves about and claim they of themselves made themselves saved, and God did not interfere with them. So if they are claiming to be saved without God working different with them than with a lost person, why is the lost person lost? Why don't all get saved? Why aren't all lost?

John 3:27
27 John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.
KJB

1 Cor 4:7
7 For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?
KJB

God is on the throne.

Isaiah 26:12
12 LORD, thou wilt ordain peace for us: for thou also hast wrought all our works in us.
KJB

God turns things around. He turns us from death to life. 

None are saved without repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. There are those chosen before the foundation of the earth, referred to as the beloved, and not one of them will be lost, but will come to repentance and be saved from their sins. Salvation is of the Lord. Jesus saves!

Come and hear, all ye that fear God,
and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.
Psalms 66:16

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Bob Krajcik
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