GRACE FOR TODAY Radio Message #443
FOR WHOM DID CHRIST
DIE?
Pastor
Don Fortner
Grace Baptist Church of Danville
2734 Old Stanford Road
Danville,
Kentucky 40422-9438
The objects of redemption,
those for whom Christ died, for whom he made atonement by the shedding of his
blood, for whom he obtained eternal redemption, are a special and distinct
people. The Scriptures declare that they are "redeemed from the earth" (Rev. 14:3), from among all the
other inhabitants of the earth. As explained in the very next verse, they are "redeemed from among men"
(Rev. 14:4).
The inspired writers seem to
delight in using the pronoun "us", when speaking of the death of
Christ, and our redemption by it. Thus the objects of redemption are identified
as a distinct, particular people called “us”.
"Christ died for us." God "delivered
him up for us all.” Christ “gave
himself for us.” He did so “that he
might redeem us.” The saints around his throne sing unto the Lamb, “Thou hast redeemed us unto God by thy
blood." The Scriptures everywhere teach limited atonement, particular,
effectual redemption accomplished and obtained for God’s elect by the
sin-atoning death of Christ as our Substitute.
As I have said many times - There is not a hint, suggestion, or
implication of universal atonement anywhere in the Word of God. Not only
does the Bible teach the blessed doctrine of effectual, limited atonement, the
Word of God also tells us specifically and clearly who those sinners are for
whom Christ died.
THE LORD JESUS CHRIST DIED FOR EVERY SINNER IN THIS WORLD LOVED OF GOD
WITH AN EVERLASTING LOVE. The objects of Christ’s redemption and the objects of God's love are
the same. Redemption, as we have seen, flows from the love of God and Christ
(John 3:16; Rom. 5:8; 1 John 3:16; 4:10). This love from which redemption flows
is much, much more than some imaginary, universal benevolence, and much, much
more than that general kindness shown in providence to all men, as the
creatures of God. This is a special and discriminating love. It is the special,
saving favor which God bears to his own people alone, as distinct from others.
The Lord God declares, "Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I
hated." This is hard pill for some to swallow. They would rather
compromise the character of God and make for themselves a god like themselves
(mutable, unfaithful, and untrustworthy) than acknowledge the plainly revealed
fact that GOD’S LOVE, HIS SOVEREIGN
PURPOSE OF GRACE, HIS PROVIDENCE AND ALL HIS SAVING OPERATIONS ARE TOWARD HIS
ELCT ALONE. I defy anyone who denies this fact to give a sane
interpretation of Isaiah 43:3-4.
This special, redeeming love
is most highly expressed and clearly revealed by our all glorious Savior. When
we see him hanging on the cursed tree, bearing in his own body all the sins of
all his people, and suffering all the horrid wrath of almighty God as our
Substitute, we begin to understand the meaning of John’s words - “Having loved his own which were in the
world, he loved them unto the end” (John 13:1). All who are thus loved by
Christ were redeemed by Christ. They are "his" people,
"his" sheep, "his" church. To suggest, or imply that Christ
died for reprobate sinners, who are the objects of his just wrath and contempt,
such as Esau, is utter nonsense. Those who say that Christ loved Esau enough to
die for him, when Christ himself says, “Esau
have I hated”, would make the Son of God a liar! They would rather declare
that God is a liar than acknowledge that salvation truly is of the Lord in its
entirety!
AMEN.