Even though we know “by their fruits” that some people will not make it to heaven, and based on what scripture
says,
I think we still have to say that yes, Christ Jesus did die for the sins of everyone. We know from Scripture that John the Baptist pointed out Christ Jesus and said “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). In Galatians we find “Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: (Galatians 1:4). And the Epistle of John says “And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world” (1 John 2:2).
To me these scriptures are saying that God made it possible for all to be saved by giving His One and Only Son, Christ Jesus, to pay the price for our sins. I believe that the reason some people won’t be saved is because they deliberately reject God’s offer of forgiveness. Even though Christ Jesus died for the sins of the world, everyone has the responsibility to accept God’s offer by faith.
Even those who have never heard of God’s free gift of forgiveness and eternal life, to these people God has given them a certain amount of light. If these people respond to that light, God will give them more light. Eventually they too can be saved. Those who don’t respond to that light have no excuse. Likewise, those who have heard the gospel but do not respond, have no excuse. So if you have not already, why not ask God for forgiveness today while you still have breath, before it’s too late.
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July 24th, 2010 at 10:15 am
Jesus is alive!
July 28th, 2010 at 6:27 am
Praise the name of Jesus..He indeed is alive.
October 31st, 2010 at 1:23 pm
My question is: If Jesus died for ALL sins, then wouldn’t everyone go to heaven? If Jesus really did die for every single sin of everyone, nobody would go to hell because that debt has already been paid…right? If God is a just God, then why would a debt have to be paid twice? So did Jesus only die for those people who have accepted the gift?
November 19th, 2010 at 11:19 am
That’s a very good question Bethany. Jesus did die for the sins of the world. Salvation is a free gift from God. That free gift was paid for by Jesus suffering and dying on the cross and His miraculous Resurrection. To show that we believe that Jesus died for our sins and that his death and Resurrection did indeed wash our sins away, every person must receive or accept that free gift. God is not going to force that gift on someone who doesn’t want it. He is not going to violate our free will. Unfortunately, those people who reject God’s free gift of salvation will suffer eternal torment and separation from God.
So to answer your final question “So did Jesus only die for those people who have accepted the gift?”, Jesus died for the sins of all people, but only the people who accepted God’s free gift will benefit from that gift. The others willingly choose not to accept the gift and therefore willingly choose to suffer the consequences.
Please reply if you have more questions.
March 24th, 2011 at 1:58 pm
Admin,
Doesn seem like you answered her question…So I’ll re-phrase. if Jesus died for everyones sins on the cross 2000+yrs ago, as in fact He did, and if he did indeed bear the sins of everyone, then why would God send forgiven sinners to hell?
March 25th, 2011 at 4:02 pm
Thanks for your question Sean. I think I understand what you’re asking and I’ll try to answer. First of all, God doesn’t send forgiven sinners to hell. In fact, God doesn’t send anyone to hell. I think what you are saying is that since Jesus died for everyone’s sins 2000 years ago, then everyone is going to go to heaven. This is a dangerous belief that causes people to live any way they want to because they think they are automatically going to heaven because Jesus died for their sins. If that were the case, why are there so many warnings in scripture telling people to turn from their sins (repent)and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved. If everyone is automatically going to heaven, then there is no need for warnings like these.
The unpleasant fact is, people willingly choose to go to hell when they reject the gift of Salvation from God. Some of these people say that they don’t need God and they can make it on their own. Some think the cross is ridiculous and simply don’t believe Jesus paid the price for their sins. Some people curse God and blaspheme His holy name. They do things like putting a cross in a glass and then urinate into the glass and show this off to the world as a “work of art”. These people are rejecting God’s salvation and are choosing to go to hell. Hell was meant for the devil and his angels. But if people choose to follow the devil then they must also accept to share in the devil’s fate.
God is patient and He doesn’t want anyone to go to hell. “The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.” 2 Peter 3:9 (NLT)
So yes, Jesus died for everyone’s sin approximately 2000 years ago. So if everyone in the world repents and accepts Jesus’s sacrifice, then yes, everyone will go to heaven. But unfortunately, not everyone repents and receives God’s free gift of salvation and therefore their sins are not forgiven and they die in their sins.
To find out what God’s requirements are for going to heaven, see God’s Simple Plan of Salvation. I hope this clears it up but if not, let me know.
April 28th, 2011 at 10:55 pm
By all that I read and hear, Adam had and has far more power that Jesus to influence the destiny of mankind. Adams sins and ALL of mankind is born into sin and hopelessly lost. Jesus, dies on the cross, and if we agree with Him and what He has done, then we can be saved. How is that God needs our help, by way of ACCEPTING his son, for us to be saved when Adam condemned all of mankind through a single personal failing? Is it not possible for God to save all of us through His Son’s work at Calvary? “Every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus is Lord.”
I really hate to think that some people would avoid eternal damation. It goes against my religion, but maybe God is more powerful than Adam in this matter. Hmmm.
April 30th, 2011 at 9:58 am
Hi Ken,
Yes indeed, God is more powerful than Adam. He gives all of us free will. Adam had the right to choose. We all have the right to choose. Man is not hopelessly lost. But on the other hand, God is not going to drag anyone into heaven kicking and screaming. He gives us the choice to either accept the sacrifice of His Son or reject it. I really hate to think that many people will not avoid eternal damnation.
May 18th, 2011 at 1:39 am
Is the God of creation, the God of the Universe, the God who sustains us from breath to breath a cosmic switch board operator who is waiting on his creation (man) to make decisions so he (God) can continue with his plan. Remember the very reason Christ was necessary, because man, per scripture, is dead in his transgression (not a little sick ) and described as searching not for God and unable to do anything good. Would you have people believe that God sent his Son to live the life that he did, endure the death that he did & then conquer death so that fallen man can then “do with him what you can”. Mans depravity is total. Are we just better people then those prior Christ?
Of & by myself, did I just wake up some morning with the desire to please God, start reading the Bible, attend church, chose Christ as my personal savior. All these good & God pleasing decisions prior to salvation ? If what I do compels God to act, then my salvation is not via Grace it is something I deserve. It is God who quickens my spirit, it is God who touches my heart & compels me to chose Christ, If I had the ability to accomplish this by my self… Then Christ wasn’t needed. No man comes to me unless the Father brings him to me.
May 19th, 2011 at 1:29 pm
Hi John,
God’s plan will continue whether or not anyone decides to receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Yes, everyone starts out being dead in sin an unable to meet God’s standard. But God gives everyone a free will. In addition, we are capable of realizing that we are wretched sinners and can’t satisfy God’s standard and that we desperately need help. This is where our free will comes in. We can choose to accept God’s plan of salvation or we can reject it. If we do decide to reach out to God for help, it is because the Father is drawing us to Jesus. But we have to choose. Either way, God’s plan for the universe will continue on schedule.
May 31st, 2011 at 12:36 pm
Dear “Admin”, Bethany, Sean, and Ken… What an enjoyable “thread” to stumble upon while searching/researching for the right words to answer this exact question! I have been meeting with a friend who is asking sincere questions like Bethany’s.
I think that the responder “Admin” has answered this question so well & succinctly… “God does not send anyone to hell.”
The Bible says “God is love.” (1 John 4:8) That is His character and nature. And He loves the world so very much that He sent His most costly gift, His only Son. Isn’t that an amazing concept to wrap our minds around? It’s boggling! What a gift! Then Jesus CHOSE to lay down His life (John 10:18), for the sins of the world (1 John 2:2)! Out of love! For Jesus is love; He is the exact representation of His Father (Heb 1:3), who is Love.
Jesus then rose from the dead as proof that the sin debt was paid in full. Consider what He did like a check that we ourselves can not write; our spiritual bank account is empty. We are incapable of paying our own sin debt because we, in and of ourselves, are totally spiritually corrupt and bankrupt (Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23; Jeremiah 17:9)
So Christ wrote the check to pay our sin price… His death on the cross, where He became our sin so that we could become the righteousness of God in Him … 2 Corinthians 5:21.
But isn’t it interesting that Mark 10:45 says “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”? Hmmm… for many… not ALL? Why not “all”? Because not “all” choose to cash the “sin debt check” offered freely by Jesus.
I also found Sean’s mixing of words very curious… “if Jesus died for everyone’s sins on the cross 2000+yrs ago, as in fact He did, and if he did indeed bear the sins of everyone, then why would God send forgiven sinners to hell?”
Jesus did indeed die on the cross for “everyone’s” sins (1 John 2:2), but the leap to then think that “everyone” is forgiven is a deadly incorrect leap. It goes back to the uncashed “sin debt check”. Gotta cash that check Sean. Gotta come to that place of personal belief, to choose to cash that check and believe Jesus died for you and then rose from the dead for you to have new life in Him… not just in heaven but here and now as He lives His life in and through you. When you come to that place of personal belief, then you are forgiven.
Fun thread. And I love how you all remained respectful in your responses. Rare in this day and age.
Blessings as you continue to seek. Deuteronomy 4:29; Romans 10:20
May 31st, 2011 at 12:40 pm
Hi Robin,
Thank you for your compliment. You have so eloquently clarified what I was trying to say to Bethany, Sean and Ken. I’m sure your explanation will truly help those who are struggling with this question.
We are always happy to get comments and questions. It is a learning process for us as well as it causes us to do more research on various subjects. We are happy to report that all of those leaving comments and questions have been very respectful.
Gob bless you Robin and all of those who are seeking Him.
November 9th, 2011 at 1:21 am
So since jesus died for everyone. and only those who accept him will be saved. Jesus work is contingent on us accepting thus not the final atoning sacrifice. If what your saying is correct,( in that we play a role in our salvation)Jesus dying for our sins isn’t enough. I encourage you to read romans 8:21-30 again. Jesus death was not the cause and us believing in him is the effect. Jesus death was the cause and effect. We are drawn to Christ because God chose us. Not because we chose to believe in God.
November 11th, 2011 at 3:10 pm
Hi Billy,
If I understand you correctly, you are saying no one has to believe in Jesus to be saved. What would you say to verses like Acts 16:30-31 “And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
This is a poor analogy but I hope it helps you understand. Let’s say I go to a grocery store and paid $100 for your grocery purchase and told the manager that this money is to go towards your next grocery purchase. Then I call you and tell you I have paid $100 to go toward your next grocery purchase. The fact that I paid $100 for your groceries does not put food on your table. You have to believe me and go to that store and accept the groceries that I paid for. Likewise we have to believe in Jesus and go to Him and accept His free gift of eternal life.
November 15th, 2011 at 5:57 pm
I have been struggling with understanding this issue for a while now since my girlfriend and I view this differently. I am going back to Scriptures with no agenda and humbly reading passages and trying to change/fit my understanding around the unchanging truth in the Bible (and not vice versa). I am willing to change my viewpoint as my understanding grows, I just need help understanding. Presently (and I say “presently”, because I know that I am a very limited creature who doesn’t have all the answers and my viewpoint very likely may change several times), I am understanding Scripture to say that Jesus’ sacrifice did not just make salvation possible, it actually WAS the propitiation or ransom that paid the price — Jesus was the Passover lamb. In the OT, the high priest would sacrifice the Passover lamb to make atonement for the sins of the people of Israel (not for the sins of every person in the world, just the chosen, ie. “Israel”) and this was completely that — a free gift of God not dependant upon anything the people would then do to receive it — it made atonement. We know that the death of an animal did not actually pay for their sins but this was a symbol God had established to point to Jesus and the nature of His substitutionary atonement, namely, that it paid full atonement for the sins God’s chosen. Maybe it is flawed, but that is my understanding of Jesus’ substitutionary atonement. If this atonement was literally paid for every person in the world on the cross then I do not understand how anyone can go to hell. Suppose you are in a courtroom where there is a guilty party and another person takes the punishment for their sins, there is nothing then by which the judge can justly punish that person since the wrong had been paid for. We know that God is not unjust and so I guess I do not understand then how people can go to hell if their sins are fully paid. We are dead in our sins and dead things do not move of their own accord or give themselves life — life needs to be infused from a separate source. Our free will is enslaved to sin and we will only choose apart from God. Therefore, it seems necessary that God would regenerate the person whom He had chosen so they can choose Him, and they do — in fact, ALL those God has chosen will come to Him and believe. Our very belief is a gift from God. Any action on man’s part to claw his way to this position of salvation seems to miss the point of our being “dead in our sins” and seems to add works to the gift of salvation. Therefore, a true belief in Him who saves and turning from the former sinful life seems to be the proof that you are saved (ie. You want to be saved? Believe!).
Again, I’ll ask it this way… if Jesus died for every person and made a way that everyone can achieve a status of having their sins paid for, then why do some believe and others not? If God’s divine choice preceding and overruling this is not part of the equation, then one has to conclude it has to do with each person — that there is something better about those who believe versus those who do not, for why else would they believe and other not? But this then elevates those who believe above those who do not and robs Jesus of the full glory by adding their work of believing to what Jesus has already done.
Does any of that make sense? Can you at least see where I am coming from? Am I way off base here? Please explain where I am going wrong, I sincerely and humbly wish to add to my understanding.
Please help me understand how Jesus can stand before the Ancient of Days in the heavenly courtroom and say of each person, “I have fully paid for their sins” only to have the Judge ignore that and still punish some for their fully paid sins.
Thank you kindly, I sincerely look forward to your thoughts on both side of this issue to help me understand better those deep theological areas I am admittedly have a tough time comprehending and I will apply what I learn to help shape my own understanding.
November 16th, 2011 at 3:30 pm
Hi Randy,
You’re not alone! This is a difficult subject for many people. I suppose one of the main problems is that people think that the scriptures say that Jesus did for ALL the sins of the world. We see verses like “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” John 1:29. If verses like this mean that Jesus has taken away the sins of everyone, then we can presuppose that no one has and no one will ever go to hell.
But instead we do indeed see in scripture that people have gone to hell and people will go to hell. For instance the rich man in Luke 16:19-31 died and lifted up his eyes in hell. Some write this off as being a parable. But parables never reveal the name of the characters. Jesus names a man called Lazarus in this story.
Then in the future, we see people at the Great White Thrown judgement being cast into hell, Revelation 20. So either the death and resurrection of Jesus took away everyone’s sin or it didn’t. Which is it?
We can also ask the question” Will God drag people kicking and screaming into heaven against their will? One thing the scriptures teach us is that God will not violate anyone’s free will. God wants people who choose to love Him and not people who are forced to love Him. That would not be love at all! So God in His infinite wisdom allows us to choose or reject his free gift of eternal life.
Once we look at the Atonement of Jesus in this light, then verses like the following confirm that the Atonement of Jesus was a ransom for many, not for all, because many will choose to reject God’s free gift. “Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. Mathew 20:28″.
There is an article at the Christian Research Institute website entitled The Atonement of Christ and the Faith Movement that really goes into depth about this topic as it relates to the faith movement. Maybe it will help you in your study. Here is an excerpt:
“As Christians, we affirm that our salvation is based solely on what Christ did for us. And, we appropriate by faith what He has accomplished for us (Romans 3:21-4:5; Ephesians 2:8,9; II Timothy 1:8-11; Titus 3:4-7). By this affirmation we do not mean that saving faith involves nothing more than simply acknowledging that Jesus died for us, nor do we insist that a thorough and complete understanding of the Atonement is essential for salvation. Faith in the Lord Jesus Himself saves. And yet, such faith is based not only on who Jesus is, but on His finished work on the cross”. http://equip.org
Let us know if this helps.