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For God so loved the world that He gave
His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him
-- John 3:16
We are working our way (like a turtle) through this well-known verse of Scripture, John 3:16. According to the verse itself, God gave His Son, so that all those who believe in Him will have eternal life. Now if we are going to take the verse literally, we would have to agree that the verse itself is teaching the doctrine of limited atonement. God gave His Son so that only those who believe in Him will have eternal life.
In other words, those who believe in the Son, are not going to pay their own sin debt, Jesus paid it for them. This grace is extended to all (anyone) who will repent and believe the gospel message. But His graciousness is not for the unbeliever. Christ is the propitiation for all those who believe in Him, and for them alone. Is this what the verse is saying?
That would seem to be correct, many other verses would point to the same conclusion. In the Old Testament, Isaiah 53:11 says, "By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many." Then verse 12 says, "and He bare the sins of many." Have you noticed the limitation? These verses are referring to a limited atonement. In the New Testament, we can hear this doctrine, theology, or teaching coming from the mouth of Jesus.
In Matthew 26:28, Jesus said to His disciples, "For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins." In Mark 14:24 Jesus said, "This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many." In John 17:9 Jesus said, "I pray for them (those who believe), I do not pray for the world, but for those You have given Me, for they are Yours."
Then in John 10:14 it says, "and I know My sheep, and am known by My own." John 6:39 says, "that of all He has given Me, I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day." From the verses we have looked at, it is clear that Jesus did not die for those who hate, reject, and dishonor Him through a wicked, ungodly lifestyle. But rather, for those who believe in Him, and glorify Him.
But let's look at this another way, if Jesus made universal atonement for all of mankind, then why will sinners spend eternity separated from God and His love? That would be paying for sin twice (double payment); by the Creator and also the sinful creature. John 3:18 makes it clear that "he who does not believe is condemned already," because of his unbelief. "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Do you believe in limited atonement? The gospel call goes out to everyone, it is free to all who will receive it. But on the last day, only those who have accepted the finished work of Christ will experience eternal paradise with Him.
Contact the author at: (thoughtsonword@gmail.com) if you have any comments or questions.
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Lyndon Stimeling, of Richfield, has been writing about faith and family for many years. He has self-published three books, Common Thoughts on The Word in 2016 and Eye of a Needle in 2017 and Common Thoughts on The Word II in 2019. He has also had articles published in The Coming Home Journal and local newspapers and has written a children's book.