Page 18 - January 2023 - Truth & Tidings

ly upon the cross when the Saviour said, vation. The gospel message is for “every
“Finished.” That means whatever was creature” (Mar 16:15) because salvation
completed on the cross stands complete blessings are available to every creature.
for all eternity and cannot be supplement- However, not every person will be saved.
ed in any way thereafter. Whoever was The blessings available through Christ’s
included in the provision of atonement atonement are dispensed upon the exer-
upon the cross remains so eternally. It is cise of faith. Christ is the sacrifice for sin,
for this reason that John Owen’s trilemma the benefits of which are presented by
of “all the sins of all men” or “all the sins God, and sinners obtain the remission of
of some men” or “some of the sins of all
men” is a false argument. It is based upon the penalty for their sins when they be-
an unscriptural commercial view of the lieve in Him (Rom 3:24-25). At conversion,
atonement that argues for the execution the sinner receives the blessings that flow
of judgment for a specific quantity of sins from the atonement Christ made upon the
and sinners. Christ’s death is never viewed cross – pardon, forgiveness, eternal life,
that way in the Scriptures. reconciliation, redemption, sanctification,
What Is the Result of the Atonement? and the assurance of heaven for eternity.
Christ’s atonement was a substitution- For Whom Is the Atonement?
ary sacrifice which made the salvation Acres of paper and gallons of ink have
of all men possible by removing every been used over the centuries in disagree-
obstacle that hindered God’s offering a ments about the answer to this question,
pardon, and doing so in a manner that so one paragraph is unlikely to settle the
honoured His Law. God has the means debate. However, it is important to notice
whereby He can genuinely offer salva- that:
tion to every sinner, and bring repentant
sinners into relationship with Himself by There is not one passage of Scripture
averting the penalty for their sins. This is which states that Christ died only for
described in Romans 3:26: “that he might some sinners.
be just, and the justifier of him which The Scriptures state that the death of
believeth in Jesus.” Whether or not any Christ was for all men (e.g., Isa 53:6; Joh
sinner is saved makes no difference to 1:29; 2Co 5:15; 1Ti 2:6; Titus 2:11-14; 1Jn
the expedient that has been provided by 2:2).
Christ’s atonement. If a sinner is saved, it The gospel message of forgiveness is for
is because obstacles to their salvation have all people (Luk 2:10; Mar 16:15).
been removed by God; if a sinner perishes, Since the message of the gospel is for the
it is not because of an obstacle on God’s
part. When a sinner perishes, it is entirely whole world and urges those who hear
due to his unbelief. God declares Himself it to repent of their sins and believe its
willing and ready to save any sinner; He is message, there must be a real possibility
“God our Saviour, Who will have all men for everyone to avail of the blessings of
to be saved” (1Ti 2:3-4). the atonement for it to be a genuine offer
Christ’s atonement is the means by made in good faith.
which God dispenses salvation, and also Christ died for sinners (Rom 5:6,8) and
the means by which the sinner obtains sal- for the sins of every sinner (1Jn 2:2).

18 TRUTH kTidings January 2023