1213. Us–The Scope of the Atonement

Us–The Scope of the Atonement

"All we, like sheep, have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all" (Isa_53:6).

There is a question that is discussed among theologians. It is this: "Did Christ die for the unbelievers, that is, for those who are finally lost?" It is unnecessary for us to go into this matter, save to state positively one thing: Christ did settle the Adamic sin question for the whole world. He "taketh away the sin of the world."

One other thing we can say emphatically. Christ did suffer for the sins of all those who believe on Him.

We love to put it in the good old-fashioned way. The Blood of Jesus Christ is

Deficient for none.

Sufficient for all.

Efficient for those who believe.

There are two things we wish to impress.

1. The efficiency of the Blood for saints. This is set forth not only by the "us" of our key verse, but it is set forth again and again in the 53d chapter of Isaiah. "He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows." "He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities." "The chastisement of our peace was upon Him." "With His stripes we are healed." "Thou shalt make His soul an offering for sin." "He made intercession for the transgressors." "He bare the sin of the many." In all of these Scriptures the Blood is efficacious only to those who believe. The "us" and the "our" refer to saints alone.

In Act_20:28 we see the Church of God which "He hath purchased with His own Blood." Believers, and believers alone, are under the Blood of Christ. The same blood that sheltered the Israelite might have sheltered the Egyptians, but they refused to get in behind it. The Blood of Christ Jesus is offered to all, but it is efficacious only to those who believe.

2. The deficiency of the Blood for unbelievers. The Blood of Jesus Christ will not shelter from the coming wrath, those who have not taken shelter under it. The harlot Rahab was protected by the scarlet cord, but that cord did not reach beyond and protect the unbelieving hordes of Jericho.

The unbeliever may boast that God will not damn any one. We speak reverently; When the Lord Jesus Christ was made sin for us, when He stood in the sinner's stead did God spare His own Son? Did not Jesus Christ cry from Calvary's Cross: "My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me"?

If then Christ, made sin for us, came under condemnation; assuredly those who reject the atonement and spurn the Blood must receive condemnation. He Who spared not His own Son, will not spare the rejecters of His Son. If Christ as a substitutionary sacrifice suffered without the gate, certainly those who spurn Christ's substitution must remain under condemnation.

Let us illustrate: Christ said unto Israel, "How often would I, * * ye would not!" And then the word was added, "Your house is left unto you desolate" (Mat_23:37-39). The Lord says to unrepentant sinners, "How oft would I, but ye would not." What is the result? Are the wicked to be saved in spite of their rejection? No. The conclusion is certain: "Behold, your house is left unto you desolate." The unbeliever is lost in spite of the shed Blood. His sin remaineth.

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR