“PERHAPS NO WRITING OF MAN IS MORE INSIGHTFUL THAN THAT OF JOHN DONNE WHO SAID,'THE DEATH OF ANY MAN DIMINISHES ME…’ INDEED, THE DEATH OF ONE MAN DEFIES THAT TO THE INFINITE DEGREE!”

 I’m Dennis Finnan, host and speaker on the World, the Word & You! Broadcast and in a moment we’ll talk about the meaning of, and value of the death of one never forgotten man …

…John Donne, born in 1572, poet and clergyman, was one of the most influential pastors and poets of the Renaissance. He was famous for his witty cutting poetry as he was for his enthralling sermons. Yet one of his most remembered works is “Meditation XVII: No man is an island,”where he wrote:

“No man is an island, entire of itself...any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee." 

Indeed, no man is an island. We do not live or die to self, we are all interconnected for we come from the same source and spring of life, one man and one woman, created in the image of God. Moreover, the death of anyone does diminish our existence and life here and now, except the death of one man – the Lord Jesus Christ. His death my friend, did not diminish you or me or anyone; rather, His death brought light and life to all. However, the great theological question often debated is, “For Whom did Christ die?” and after another moment of music, I’ll answer that from the Word of God, stay tuned…

…In many schools of Christian theology, a debate often rages among students of the Word of God. This debate is around the meaning and concept of the death of Christ. As one reads the Bible we discover that the death of this one single man, has more meaning and changed more lives than any other who ever lived or died. But the question often debated is, is there value and purpose behind this death and especially what does it mean to you and me. So today, I want to talk about it from a truly biblical perspective, and share with you how holy, wonderful and special it is to know that of all things, Jesus Christ died thousands of years ago, but His death is the source of all life and light for eternity to come. Let’s talk about it.

Now basically, in Christian systematic theology there are two opposing schools of theology that attempt to explain the Bible and the work of God among sinful human beings. We call it “Arminianism vs. Calvinism.” Frankly, I detest these terms, for they attempt to lead us to human reasoning rather than the divine origins and truths upon which they are founded. But let’s define these two systems of Christian theology. First we discover one came into clear existence by a man named Jacob Arminius. Arminius, who lived from 1560-1609 AD, was a Dutch theologian who studied, taught, and eventually broke with the teachings of Calvinism.  He was particularly at odds with John Calvin's emphasis on unconditional election and irresistible grace.  The Synod of Dort (1618-19 AD), strongly reaffirmed ultra-Calvinism in reaction to Arminius' growing influence.  As a result, hundreds of Arminians -- also known as Remonstrants -- were removed from their pulpits.  But Arminianism was not to be conquered.  Its strong emphasis on free-will, salvation for all, and resistible grace, continued to be influential, finding perhaps its strongest proponent in John Wesley, the founder of Methodism. Arminius refined the teachings surrounding the death of Christ in his five doctrinal articles of faith, collectively called the “Remonstrance.”  Followers down through the ages have cataloged these five points as:

THE FIVE POINTS OF ARMINIAN THEOLOGY

(1) ELECTION OF GOD TO SALVATION IS BASED SOLELY ON GOD’S FOREKNOWLEDGE OF OUR WILLINGNESS TO RESPOND.

(2) CHRIST’S DEATH WAS UNIVERSAL AND UNLIMITED, A PAYMENT FOR ALL MANKIND,

(3)SAVING FAITH IS IMPOSSIBLE APART FROM REGENERATION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT THAT IS AVAILABLE TO ALL.

(4) GOD GRACE, ONCE REVEALED, CAN BE RESISTED.

(5) A BELIEVER’S SALVATION CAN BE LOST IN THIS LIFE.

These five articles of the 1610 AD Remonstrance have been the basis of faith for many Christians since then. Now I want to zero in on the second point, which covers the death of Christ, for it is here theologians have argued for centuries. You see the alternate systematic theology of Christianity is centered in the collective teachings of another great theologian who name was John Calvin. Calvin categorized our Christian beliefs into five points too. His were as follows,

THE FIVE POINTS OF THE THEOLOGY OF CALVINISM

(1) THE TOTAL DEPRAVITY OF MAN RENDERS ALL HUMANITY LOST, BEING UNABLE TO SAVE OURSELVES AND UNABLE TO EVER INITIATE RESPONSE TO GOD.

(2) UNCONDITIONAL ELECTION REVEALS SOME OF FALLEN HUMANITY HAS BEEN CHOSEN IN ETERNITY PAST, TO RECEIVE SALVATION.

(3)GOD HAS THEREFORE LIMITED THE ATONEMENT OF CHRIST, TO ONLY THOSE ELECTED TO SUCH SALVATION.

(4) GOD’S GRACE IS IRRESISTIBLE TO THE ELECT, AND CANNOT BE REJECTED. WHEN GOD CALLS, THE ELECT RESPOND.

(5) GOD’S ELECT, ONCE RENGENERATED, CAN NEVER BE LOST IN THIS LIFE OR ETERNITY.

Now I’ve simplified these points of both systems of theology for my listening audience to understand. You see everything revolves around one point – the work of ATONEMENT that God the Son Jesus Christ performed on behalf of a lost sinful fallen world of humanity. Did Christ die for the entire human race, or did He only die for some, a select few, who were elected before the world began? For centuries, and to this day, this divides many good theologians and churches. Let’s talk about it, and find out what it means to you and me today.

Now the issue is -- did Christ’s death on the cross at Calvary, pay for the sins of all the world, or was His death only applicable to those whom God elected out of the fallen human race, to be saved from their sins? This is called “Limited Atonement,” vs. “Unlimited Atonement.”

Well, the answer I have come to believe, is, both are correct and by themselves incorrect. Let me explain. There is no doubt about it, the sovereign Creator God is revealed to us in three distinct Persons of the Godhead, “God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.” This triune God planned all before He created anything. In this planning we are told plainly in Scripture, that God foresaw and foreknew that mankind would reject and sinfully walk away from God’s righteousness and attempt to establish their own, to their utter failure. This is called the Fall of Man in theology, referring to Adam and Eve’s trial in the Garden of Eden. Although they were created sinless, they were given the choice to follow and obey God, thus affirming that in and of themselves, the only righteousness and will, worthy of ruling in the world, was that of God’s, not their own. Yet they chose to listen to the fallen Angel, Lucifer, who became Satan and attempted to exercise their “own” righteousness, to their utter failure. Thus, sin entered the world, and death by sin was the result.

Knowing this aforetime, for God is Omniscient, God planned to save and rescue the fallen human race. We are told in Scripture.

Prov 8:23 (NIV)  "I was appointed from eternity, from the beginning, before the world began."

John 17:5 (NIV)  "And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began."

Rev 13:8 (NIV)  “All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written in the book of life belonging to the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world.”

Now these verses tell us God preplanned for Himself to become the sacrifice for the  sins of mankind, when they would occur in time. Yes, God promised our fallen, first parents and all who followed, that God would send His Son, the Messiah and Savior to die to pay for our sins. Again the Bible says,

Gen 3:14-15 (NLT)  “So the LORD God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, you will be punished. You are singled out from all the domestic and wild animals of the whole earth to be cursed. You will grovel in the dust as long as you live, crawling along on your belly. 15 From now on, you and the woman will be enemies, and your offspring and her offspring will be enemies. He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.””

Right there in that last verse, God in embryo form promised Adam and Eve and all who followed God would begin the process of redeeming fallen sinners, and one day would triumph over sin for us through a living descendent of Adam and Eve. Later this of course, was  clearly identified  that this human being would be a sinless, divine man, God Himself whose sole purpose of coming to earth in the human race was to redeem us from our sins and the penalty in eternity, we shall all pay.

Now this was fulfilled when Christ went to the cross and died their. Although wicked sinful mankind, Jew and Gentiles alike participated in killing Jesus on the cross, the Bible says this God man with the infinite life of God surging within, could never die, unless He willed for his life to end. This He did when Jesus Christ submitted Himself to the Father’s will and allowed Himself to become sin for us, whereby God poured out His judgment and wrath against sin, and Christ died as a result. Again the Scriptures says,

1 Cor 15:3 (NIV)  "For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,"

2 Cor 5:21 (NASB)  “He [God the Father] made Him [Jesus Christ] who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”

Rom 5:6 (NIV)  "You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly."

Rom 5:8 (NIV)  "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

Rom 14:9 (NIV)  "For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living."

1 Pet 3:18 (NIV)  "For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit,"

Without a doubt, the Christian faith through the Word of God tells us that God the Son, came to earth for the express purpose to die for the sins of fallen humanity and upon dying their on the cross, He offers up His death as a substitute payment for sin for all who will come to Him and receive Him as their Lord God and Savior. It’s that simple, but oh how hard it is for sinners to come and confess their sin, unrighteousness and unworthiness to God to receive Christ’s death on our behalf. This is where the issue comes up and questions need to be answered. FOR WHOM DID CHRIST DIE? The Bible answers, for sinners!

Heb 2:9 (NIV)  “But we see Jesus…he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.”

John 3:16 (NIV)  “”For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Acts 17:30 (NIV)  “In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.”

1 Tim 2:4-6 (NIV)  “who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all men—the testimony given in its proper time.”

1 Tim 4:10 (NIV)  “(and for this we labor and strive), that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe.”

The point in all this is to say there are too many verses of Scripture that cannot be explained or cast away, that clearly tell us about Christ’s atoning  work, His atoning death was clearly for the sins of all the world of lost sinners, none excluded. Five point Calvinists disagree, and say God planned for and only sent Christ to die for those whom He chose out of the fallen sinful race. Now, it is true, only those God has elected, will be saved, and their sins will be paid for by Christ’s death on the cross, but to say the rest who are not saved, God simply made no plans for them, is contrary to all that is said in the Word of God. Perhaps the most difficult verse, “Limited Redemptionists” face is found in the apostle Peter’s words when He spoke by divine revelation and said,

2 Pet 2:1 (NASB)  “But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves.”

Here we are told of “false teachers,” who obviously are not among the “elect” of God, for their teachings deny the Lord who bought them. They have had the price of their redemption paid for them by the Lord. In other words, the Bible says Christ’s death covered these non-elect sinners. Now Peter is not alone on this issue, for the apostle John speaks to it too when he said,

1 John 2:2 (NIV)  “He [Jesus Christ] is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.”

John differentiates here between Christ’s sacrifice for the saved saints with reference to “the atoning sacrifice for our sins,” and then goes on to speak to the sins of the unsaved world. “World” here does not mean people groups but what it says, the whole created world of humanity!

Now this presents us with a very difficult consideration, for the Bible also states in some verses,

Mat 1:21 (NIV)  “She [Mary] will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.””

John 10:11 (NIV)  “”I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

John 17:9 (NIV)  “I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours.”

Here these verses seem to lead us to conclude that Christ came and died, “only” for those God elected in eternity past to be saved. Certainly this is confusing, but gives understanding as to why these two schools of theology have arisen. Now how do we explain this, and come to a logical conclusion? Let’s try…

First of all, we know from Scripture, God loves all creation, especially all of mankind He created. Proof is seen in the plans and promises of God, knowing full well man would sin and come under His holy judgment. As a result, God planned and carried out our salvation by sending into this world the infinite God/Man Jesus Christ, who gave His infinite life on the cross for sin.

This mystery of Christ’s death for all, yet only for some, is reconciled in the fact that Atonement must be universal, to give all an opportunity to have their sins forgiven. Moreover, the Bible says God is the father of all people,

Acts 17:29 (NIV)  “”Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by man’s design and skill.”

But all people are not a part of God’s redeemed family. So Christ must be the savior of all, without all being saved. Do you follow me? Thus, Christ’s death is universal in scope and potential, and is available to all, “if” they were to respond. Yet, Scripture tells us “only” the elect will respond, because God opens their eyes and hearts to see His beauty, grace and love, and they do respond. If Christ only died for the elect who are chosen out in eternity past, then preaching of the Gospel, praying for the lost becomes an exercise in futility. Imagine preaching to those for whom Christ never died? Imagine winning them to a decision to accept Christ and then finding out they can’t be saved? Although this hypothetical, the concept remains, for I don’t know who the elect are, and if I’m to preach only to them, I’m stymied.

No, the reverse is true. Christ died for all that all might hear and learn of God’s love, grace, mercy and goodness to redeem us from our sins. However, God’s redemption cannot and will not be applied to anyone unless they respond with their will and trust in Jesus Christ alone for their salvation.

So the real issue is not for whom did Christ die, but since He has died for sin, all sin, have I responded and accepted His death before God on His terms? Have I taken Christ as my Savior and Lord? Have I spoken to God and confessed my sins, that are worthy of judgment and Hell? Have I thanked God for sending His Son Jesus, and His dying on a cross, experiencing my Hell for me? To neglect to accept this, and respond to it is the greatest sin in the universe. That is the issue.  Christ died for sinners, and no one can say in this life, Christ didn’t die for me, for all you have to do to be saved is,

Acts 16:31 (NIV)  “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.””

Rom 10:9-13 (NIV)  “That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. 11 As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never put to shame.” 12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.””

There you have it. Everyone who calls on the Name of the Lord will be saved! So my friend, if Christ died for the world, what should you and I be telling them? We should not be arguing over for whom did Christ die? Christ died for the world of lost sinners, but in eternity only those who believe, the elect, will be saved and have their sins forgiven by His death on their behalf. Indeed, it’s a mystery, a paradox, and a seeming contradiction, but in eternity we shall see and know how beautiful it is. May God grant you an open heart, mind and soul to love the Lord God, our Savior Jesus Christ with all your being, for Jesus sake. Amen.

…Universal gospel preaching demands universal potential for all to be saved. But the truth is all will not be saved. But the issue my friend for you and me is – will I or you be saved? I thank God Jesus has saved me, and I have responded to the call of the gospel and believed its truth and teachings. Christ died for me, that is more than enough to satisfy my sin payment and God’s love. May you too have chosen Christ as your Savior and Lord. Remember, He died for you.

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