2 Corinthians 5:15
Today:
- Why didn’t God eliminate the possibility of sin?
- Who did Jesus die for?
- How does atonement work?
We have many evidences of brokenness, disorder, and sin in our world: wars, chaos in nature, crime, immorality, accusing thoughts, death, violence, conflict, and broken relationships. “Humanity’s deepest need is for salvation – not just from the evil in the world, but from the evil in our own hearts.” – Purple Book
I. Why didn’t God eliminate the possibility of sin, in the beginning?
Understanding Sin:
To understand the Biblical concept of sin, we should begin with the logic of why it exists. Why is the possibility of sin a logical necessity? Why didn’t God just eliminate the possibility of sin in the beginning? “Creating humanity with a free will was the risk love had to take in order for love to be fulfilled.”
Chain of Logic:
1. Creation purpose: love relationship.
2. Relational fulfillment -> free will choice to respond.
3. More than one will -> possible conflict.
4. Potential for conflicts and/or harmony between free wills.
5. Harmony in society = order.
6. Basis for order -> common standard law, communication of relational expectations.
7. Enforcement of standard requires authority.
8. Effectiveness of authority -> obedience.
9. Disobedience = violation of the relational purpose and its implications.
Jesus teaches, “If you love me, keep my commandments.” – John 14:15 NKJV
Sin is anything contrary to the will and nature of God. The essence of sin: self-centeredness, self-will against God’s will. Sin exists when free-will becomes self-centered and the laws of God are broken.
1 John 3:4-6, 5:17-20 James 4:17 Romans 3:23-26, 14:13
Definitions of New Testament Greek words for sin:
1. Missing the target, falling short
2. Refusing to hear and disobeying a voice
3. Inward resistance and outward breaking of law
4. Crossing a boundary line
5. Falling away from uprightness
6. Ignorance of what should have been known
7. Diminishing from what should have been full
“The best way to avoid sin is to see ourselves through God’s eyes, receive and respond to His love, and live consistent with His nature and purpose.”
II. Who did Jesus die for?
Provision & Extent We know that God provided salvation through the redemptive work of Christ, but how far does the provision extend? Did Jesus die for everyone or only for those that are saved?
1. “He died for all, so that they who live would no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.” – 2 Corinthians 5:15 LSB
2. “Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone.” – Hebrews 2:9 LSB
3. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” – John 3:16-18 LSB
4. “This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the full knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the witness for this proper time.” – 1 Timothy 2:3-6 LSB
5. “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some consider slowness, but is patient toward you, not willing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” – 2 Peter 3:9 LSB
“If Jesus died for all, then are all actually saved?”
III. How Does Atonement Work?
God is the initiator. We are responders. A critical Biblical tension: Divine Sovereignty & Human Responsibility
How is the atonement realized? How does it come to pass in our experience? There are two parts to the answer: God’s part and mankind’s part. God is sovereign over our redemption, meaning He decides who will be saved. Humans are responsible to respond to God’s offer of salvation, meaning God does not force salvation on anyone. God provides sovereignly but we must respond responsibly.
“For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.” – 1 Timothy 4:10 ESV
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” – John 3:16 LSB
“She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” – Matthew 1:21 ESV
“And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him.” – Hebrews 5:9 ESV
How Atonement Works
| Provision (Giving) | | Application (Receiving)
| Savior of all men | 1 Timothy 4:10 | Especially of those that believe
| For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son | John 3:16 | That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life
| He shall save | Matthew 1:21 | His people
| He became the author of eternal salvation | Hebrews 5:9 | Unto all them that obey Him
What do we learn?
1. God has shown us his love through Jesus Christ.
2. God atoned our sin through the substitutionary death of Jesus Christ.
3. This once and for all time sacrifice makes a way for us to be forgiven by God and cleansed from our moral guilt.
4. We should receive and respond to God’s atonement.
What should we do?
1. Receive atonement, forgiveness, and salvation through Jesus Christ.
2. Daily choose gratitude as we learn more about this atonement. – Jesus paid it all receipt and Kingdom graphic – share it
3. Participate in Wednesdays Bible study: How Atonement Works & God Initiates Salvation with Grace
Bible study notes from Ken Malmin of Portland Bible College