Re: [TruthTalk] Who did Jesus Die for and Who did He Reconcile to Himself?

[Terry Clifton]

Jonathan Hughes wrote: Jonathan writes: Sorry David but I want to pick up on this point you made. I believe that Jesus did die for the sins of the world. John the Baptist states that He is the Lamb of God coming to take away the sins of the world (John 1:29). However, I think that most people (possibly including yourself) really read this idea/verse as if Jesus came to take away the sins of the Christians, or the sins of those who got their theology right, or those who followed enough of the law to be justified, or those who prayed a certain prayer, or those who repented? (Note here that in the parable of the prodigal son, the son's repentance has absolutely nothing to do with the Father's acceptance and loving embrace - in fact the text says that the Father pretty much ignored the son's attempt at confessing his sin against him. The acceptance and embrace come before repentance in this case (Luke 15). There is a large difference between a response towards God (belief etc.) and a criterion for being in right relationship with Him). So my question for the group is this: Although the Bible specifically states that He came to take away the sins of the world (that is the entire world, not just a subset of people), why do some here continue to claim that He only took away the sins of the Christians? tc:I claim that because that is what I see. For the blood of the lamb to be effective on the first passover, it had to be applied to the door posts. There is enough power in the shed blood of Jesus to save every human on earth, but to be effective, it has to be applied to the heart. Ford motor company would willingly sell an automobile to every person in the world, but some do not want a Ford. They prefer a Pontiac, the way some prefer Allah to Jesus. Also note 2 Cor 5:19. Was Christ actually reconciling the world to himself or just a few of us? "For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people's sins against them. This is the wonderful message he has given us to tell others". Sorry about the translation(NLV) but it is the one I have beside my computer. The same Bible you are reading should plainly show the conditions.  Many were willing to follow Jesus for free meals, healings and so forth.  They wanted Him to serve them.  The conditions tell us why that won't work.  We are to die to SELF, pick up our cross, and FOLLOW Him.  Not just through the narrow gate, but down the narrow path. Put simply, we turn from doing it our way, and turn to doing it His way.  That is repentance. The Prodigal repented when he turned and started home, not when he saw his father. Remember what Jesus said about wholesale salvation?  Few.............................there be,,,,,,,,,,,,, that find it. Gotta go to work.  Think about this.  It's real simple. Terry Please take some time today to think about the three passages mentioned above. Jonathan ---------- "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man." (Colossians 4:6) http://www.InnGlory.org If you do not want to receive posts from this list, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and you will be unsubscribed. If you have a friend who wants to join, tell him to send an e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and he will be subscribed.