truly grace he died for all -...

Pastor Larry Dela Cruz1

TrulyGRACE

He Died for All

Introduction2

The grace of God, how wonderful and unfathomable is God’s grace. For without God’s grace nothing can become of us. We all have gone astray and our end is destruction and death at the lake of fire. We who are finite and weak can not save our souls on our own. Though we wanted to do good evil resides in us- the sin in our flesh living and killing us everyday. Oh, what a wretched man we are, who can deliver us from this body of sin? Our soul and spirit wanted to get free and wanted to reach out for God but we can not. We have become slaves and in bondage of sin. But glory to God by His grace He has seen our afflictions. He has seen our despair. He has seen our frailties and iniquities. He has not left us as orphans but He has sent His Only Son, the Holy One of God and died on the cross and carried all of ours sins, all of our iniquities, all our infirmities and nailed it on the cross. He who knew no sin became a sin for us so that through Him we may become righteous toward God. He became poor so we may become rich. He was cursed so we can not be damned.

Oh!, the grace of God. The love of God. For God so loved the world that He gave His begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish have everlasting life. We are not worthy to receive that grace but through Him He mediated on our behalf and gave all so that in God we shall be accepted. He came to take away the sins of the world by the sacrifice of Himself. This is the grace of God. For while we were yet sinners Christ died for our sins. The Just for the unjust. The Godly for the ungodly.

We shall answer many questions. Did Jesus die for all men? Is this the grace of God that men have to know and receive? If Jesus already ransomed, paid, satisfied in full God’s righteousness on the cross is this the grace of God that has appeared to all men? Was there a real actual buying and purchase done, sealed and ratified at the cross more than 2,000 years ago? If the sins of the world were atoned for and if the sins of the world were taken away by the sacrifice of Himself, is forgiveness available to all? Is eternal life which is now a free gift through His Name for all? Why not all are saved then since it was paid? Did He die for all? To whom it is given and how it is received?

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CONTENTS

Introduction 3

What is the grace of God? 5

What really happened at the Cross? 8

Did Jesus die for all men? 15

How grace is received? 18

Summary and Conclusion 25

He Died for All

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THERE WAS A REAL SACRIFICE, REAL PAYMENT AND RANSOM MADE

What is the grace of God?

The grace of God is God’s favor given to us through Christ which on our part was unmerited, unearned and undeserving. Whenever we talk of God’s grace Christ’s suffering, death and resurrection come into the picture. Grace is an act of God alone and it was seen when He showed His love for Man whom He created. He knew Man shall fall even before the creation of the world that is why He foreordained Christ to die on the cross. God’s grace is, “He was reconciling the world to Himself through His Son not counting their trespasses.” He has provided atonement. He has provided ransom through the sacrifice of His Only Son. This is truly grace. This is the good news. We are not all worthy of that favor because we all have sinned and fell short of the glory of God. While we were yet sinners and His enemies Christ died for our sins once and for all. John wrote that God loved the world and gave His Son. The world- mankind and all humanity are not worthy of His favor but through the Son God’s grace was made available to us. Therefore the grace of God is God’s love for us and showed us His love by sending His Son on the cross to die for us so that the world might be saved through Him. He is the propitiation, the ransom, the atonement and the payment for our sins.

God’s love for the world is grace

“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. 17 “For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. - Jn 3:16-18

“All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way; But the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all To fall on Him.” - Is 53:6

“The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” - Jn 1:29

“namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. ” - 2Cor 5:19

Jesus dying for the ungodly and the unjust is grace5

“For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.” - - Rom 5:6

“For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit”- 1Pet 3:18

“It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all. 16 Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life.” – 1Tim 1:15-16

Gospel of grace

This is the gospel of grace. Grace showed the richness of His kindness and mercy towards us. God saves through His Son. The gospel is the word of truth and it is the good news of salvation that Christ died for our sins. This is the grace of Christ. Righteousness and justification come through faith in Him. In Him we have redemption through His blood. This is the grace that would come to us prophesied by the prophets and announced to us by the apostles through the preaching of the gospel. And by this gospel through faith we are saved.

“since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love which you have for all the saints; 5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven, of which you previously heard in the word of truth, the gospel 6 which has come to you, just as in all the world also it is constantly bearing fruit and increasing, even as it has been doing in you also since the day you heard of it and understood the grace of God in truth.” - Col 1:4-6

“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.” – 2Cor 8:9

“I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the graceof Christ, for a different gospel.” – Gal 1:6

“I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly.” – Gal 2:21

“You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.” – Gal 5:4

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“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace.” – Eph 1:7

“so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.” – Eph 2:7

“To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ.” – Eph 3:8

“Obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls. 10 As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful searches and inquiries, 11 seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow. 12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things into which angels long to look.” – 1Pet 1:9-12

“Through Silvanus, our faithful brother (for so I regard him), I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it!” – 1Pet 5:12

“Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, 2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.” - 1Cor 15:1-4

He Died for All


What really happened at the Cross?

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God before the foundation of the world has ordained by His sovereign will that Christ would die for the sins of the whole world. When the fullness of times came Christ died for us. Jesus through the Holy Spirit was offered at the altar of God in Heaven, He was sacrificed, His blood shed and He was put to death for the sins of mankind. He made peace with God and man. He entered the Holy of Holiest and made atonement for our sins once and for all. He was God’s ultimate sacrifice. And after the sacrifice He sat down at the right hand of God. God accepted the sacrifice. Jesus was victorious. There was an actual heavenly transaction where God was. There was a purchase and redemption sealed and ratified by His shed blood. Eternal redemption and salvation was obtained by Christ. Satan was made powerless, sin destroyed and God’s righteousness established. The grace of God manifested.

The word of God since the beginning when Satan has deceived Adam and Eve and Man fell God said to the Devil,

“And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, And you shall bruise him on the heel.” – Gen 3:15

God prophesied the destruction and the end of the works of the enemy through the seed of the woman. And that seed born of a virgin Mary was the Christ the Son of the Living God who took the human form and at the cross fulfilled and finished God’s righteousness. The Devil came to steal, kill and destroy but the Son of God came to give life and abundant life.

AT THE CROSS

Destroy the Devil’s work

Man on his own cannot free himself from his sin because sin lives in his flesh- he has that sinful nature and the power of darkness has controlled and overcame man. He came to destroy the works of the devil and darkness and evil forces. Jesus said to Paul that He is sending Him to turn the people from the power of Satan unto God. He said whoever sins is a slave of sin but if the Son of man sets him free he shall be free indeed.

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“The one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil.” - 1Jn 3:8

“who gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,” - Gal 1:4

“When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him.” - Col 2:15

“rescuing you from the Jewish people and from the Gentiles, to whom I am sending you, 18 to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.”

– Act 26:17-18

“No one who abides in Him sins; no one who sins has seen Him or knows Him. 7 Little children, make sure no one deceives you; the one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous; 8 the one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil. 9 No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.” – 1Jn 3:6-9

“Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin. 35 “The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son does remain forever. 36 “So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.”

- Jn 8:34-35

So we can live for righteousness

God’s Spirit is given to us and through His Spirit our spirit are raised and made alive and life is given to our mortal bodies. The gift of righteousness is given to us so that through His grace we can live righteously for our sanctification and whose end is eternal life. We are set free from the works of the devil and we continue no more living in sin. Through Him we are set free from sin and from our sinful nature. This is truly the grace of God. He sets us free from our sins so we can live righteously in Him.

“When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins,” - Col 2:13

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“and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.” - 1Pet 2:24

“and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood” - Rev 1:5

“Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. 3 For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, 4 so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.”- Rom 8:1-5

“But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed, 18 and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. 19 I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness, resulting in further lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness, resulting in sanctification. 20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21 Therefore what benefit were you then deriving from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the outcome of those things is death. 22 But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” - Rom 6:17-23

AT THE CROSS


Put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself

Sin separated man from the fellowship of God. And our sins and transgressions brought death and wrath upon us. Christ came to remove that barrier between God and men, mediated and interceded on our behalf and taking away the sins of the world.

When is the putting and taking away of sins done?

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Hebrews 9:26 says He has been manifested to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. Therefore, when Christ came down from heaven, took the human form and was put to death at the cross that was the time when He had put away the sins of the world.

“Otherwise, He would have needed to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now once at the consummation of the ages He has been manifested to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.” - Heb 9:26

“On the next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” - Jn 1:29

“You know that He appeared in order to take away sins; and in Him there is no sin.” - 1Jn 3:5

Once and for all

He came to take away the sins of the world and He did it once according to God’s words. In the Old Testament the priest offer sacrifices for sins daily which cannot take away the sins of the people so they were offered often but when the Son came He was offered once (one time) and for all (men).

“For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit;” - 1Pet 3:18

“But we do see Him who was made for a little while lower than the angels, namely, 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.” - Heb 2:9

“who does not need daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for

His own sins and then for the sins of the people, because this He did once for all when He offered up Himself.” - Heb 7:27

“and not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.”

– Heb 9:12

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“Otherwise, He would have needed to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now once at the consummation of the ages He has been manifested to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.” - Heb 9:26

“By his will we have been made holy through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11 And every priest stands day after day serving and offering the same sacrifices again and again – sacrifices that can never take away sins. 12 But when this priest had offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, he sat down at the right hand of God,” - Heb 10:10-12

AT THE CROSS

Our sins were dealt with

There is big question among Christian groups- the Reformed, the Evangelicals and the Pentecostals. The Reformed believes that Jesus has not paid and atoned the sins of the whole world on the cross for if that would be the case all humanity therefore are saved already. They equate atonement to immediate salvation. The Evangelicals and the Pentecostals on the other hand believe Jesus has paid and atoned already the sins of the whole world and it is offered to all men and should be received through faith in Christ to be saved and forgiven.

The question therefore would be, “If there is no actual purchase or buying on the cross through His shed blood and no actual payment for the sins of the world then what really happened on the cross?” Hebrew 9:26 and 10:10-12 said He was manifested to take away the sins of the world by the sacrifice of Himself and He did it once and for all. Therefore there was a real transaction consummated and done at the cross. The Son of God paid for the sins of the world and made peace with God by the sacrifice of Himself. But why not all are saved immediately then? We shall discuss this at the last part. We shall deal and establish first what took place at the cross once and for all.

Atonement Made

“All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way; But the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all To fall on Him.” - Is 53:6

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“But the LORD was pleased to crush Him, putting Him to grief; If He would render Himself as a guilt offering, He will see His offspring, He will prolong His days, And the good pleasure of the LORD will prosper in His hand. 11As a result of the anguish of His soul, He will see it and be satisfied; By His knowledge the Righteous One, My Servant, will justify the many, As He will bear their iniquities. 12Therefore, I will allot Him a portion with the great, And He will divide the booty with the strong; Because He poured out Himself to death, And was numbered with the transgressors; Yet He Himself bore the sin of many, And interceded for the transgressors.” - Is 53:10-12

“just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” - Mt 20:28

“For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh,” - Rom 8:3

“and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.” - Eph 5:2

“And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power When He had made purification of sins; He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,” - Heb 1:3

“But we do see Him who was made for a little while lower than the angels, namely, 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.” - Heb 2:9

“For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit;” - 1Pet 3:18

“and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.” - 1Pet 2:24

“For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures” - 1Cor 15:3

“who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time.” - 1Tim 2:6

“For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh.” - Rom 8:3

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“and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.” - 1Jn 2:2

“In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” - 1Jn 4:10

“Seventy weeks have been decreed for your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to make an end of sin, to make atonement for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the most holy place.” - Dan 9:24

AT THE CROSS

Reconciliation Made

God reconciled the world to Himself through Christ not counting our transgressions.

“For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. 11And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.” - Rom 5:10-11

“Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, 19namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.” - 2Cor 5:18-19

He Died for All


Did Jesus die for all men?

Since there was a real sacrifice made at the cross- His body offered as a sacrifice for sins, the eternal Spirit made the offering to God the Father and the Word of God said, “Once and for all.” The sacrifice was only one time from eternity to eternity. There shall be no other

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sacrifice. And it was made once and for all. He was offered once for the sins of the whole world. He died for the sins of all men. Our sins- the sins of man from Adam to the last man to be born on earth was laid on Him at the cross. There was no sin that was not atoned for. His death covered all sin. His grace abounded to all men. If His death did not cover the sins of the whole world it shall not be offered to all men. If Jesus is not the propitiation and payment for the sins of the whole world He can not be sent to be the Savior of the world. How then can He save the world should He not carried the sins of the whole world? But the grace of God is His love for the world that He gave His Son to the world and whosoever from the world shall believe shall not perish but have eternal life. His death is sufficient for all men because He died for all men on the cross and efficient to whosoever shall believe. Jesus came not to judge the world but through Him the world, the world might be saved.

AT THE CROSS

For all People

“And he came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to carry out for Him the custom of the Law, 28then he took Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said, 29"Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace, According to Your word; 30For my eyes have seen Your salvation, 31Which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32A LIGHT OF REVELATION TO THE GENTILES,And the glory of Your people Israel." - Lk 2:27-32

“Now He said to them, "These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled." 45Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, 46and He said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Christ would suffer and rise again from the dead the third day, 47and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48"You are witnesses of these things.”

- Lk 24:44-48

“For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.”- Rom 5:6

“Therefore, although God has overlooked such times of ignorance, he now commands all people everywhere to repent.” -Acts 17:30

“What then? Are we better than they? Not at all; for we have already charged that both Jews and Greeks are all under sin.” - Rom 3:9

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“For God has shut up all in disobedience so that He may show mercy to all.” - Rom 11:32

“This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time.”

- 1Tim 2:3-6

“For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. 15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. … 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.” – 2Cor 5:14-15, 19

“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people.” - Titus 2:11

“The Lord is not slow concerning his promise, as some regard slowness, but is being patient toward you, because he does not wish for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” - 2Pet 3:9

Offered to the world

“Now after John was imprisoned, Jesus went into Galilee and proclaimed the gospel of God. 15 He said, “The time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the gospel!”- Mk 1:14-15

“He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 The one who believes and is baptized will be saved, but the one who does not believe will be condemned. .” – Mk 16:15-16

“Now judgment is upon this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. 32 “And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself.” 33 But He was saying this to indicate the kind of death by which He was to die.”

- Jn 12:31-33

“So Jesus said to them, “For a little while longer the Light is among you. Walk while you have the Light, so that darkness will not overtake you; he who walks in the darkness does not know where he goes. 36 “While you have the Light, believe in the Light, so that you may become sons of Light.” These things Jesus spoke, and He went away and hid Himself from them. 37 But though He had performed so many signs before them, yet they were not believing in Him…

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44 And Jesus cried out and said, “He who believes in Me, does not believe in Me but in Him who sent Me. 45 “He who sees Me sees the One who sent Me. 46 “I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness. 47 “If anyone hears My sayings and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world.”

- Jn 12:35-37, 44-47

“And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world.” -1Jn 4:14

For the church and the whole world

“and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.” - 1Jn 2.2

“In fact this is why we work hard and struggle, because we have set our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of believers.”

- 1Tim 4:10

It is finished

“When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” – Jn 19:30

He Died for All


HOW IS GRACE RECEIVED?

God has finished the work of salvation through His Son. His grace has appeared to all men. Man was reconciled to God. Sin was taken out of the way. God has provided salvation. Eternal life now is a free gift. God has called all people everywhere to repent for the forgiveness of sins. Jesus commanded the people, “Repent and believe the gospel”. He who follows Him shall not walk in darkness. He is the Light of the world. He that hears His word shall have the Light of life. Come to the Light. He who is thirsty He shall give living water. God’s grace was

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made on the cross. It is for all. The grace of God through the Son is our salvation, our forgiveness and redemption. It was an eternal transaction made and consummated in Heaven sealed and ratified by His death and blood.

Though at the cross payment was consummated it has to be received by faith. God has ordained Christ to be crucified and He too has ordained righteousness and justification through faith in Christ. The righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith. If it is by faith therefore it is by grace. For without faith it is impossible to please God. Faith is not of works. In faith it is Christ who worked for us and we believed. Grace is offered. Grace is received by faith in Christ. God paved the way and made heaven open to all men. His grace has appeared to all men. He has shut all men in disobedience and in sin so that He may show mercy to all and the promise by faith in Christ Jesus for those who believe. God desires all men to be saved and know the truth in Christ Jesus who died for our sins.

“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men.” - Tit 2:11

“For God has shut up all in disobedience so that He may show mercy to all.” - Rom 11:32

“But the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.” - Gal 3:22


- 1Tim 2:3-6

And we are to be reconciled to God through Jesus by faith.

Paul said God has the reconciled the world to Himself through Christ overlooking our sins and we are to be reconciled to God. God made and offered reconciliation and peace through His Son. He commanded all men everywhere to repent from their sins. We should be reconciled to God ourselves through repentance and faith in Christ through whom the reconciliation was made. He is the mediator between God and men.

“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.” – Rom 5:1-2

“Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21He made Him who

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knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” – 2Cor 5:20-21

“And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evildeeds, 22yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, inorder to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach-- 23 if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister.”

– Col 1:21-23

“Therefore, although God has overlooked such times of ignorance, he now commands all people everywhere to repent.” -Acts 17:30

“Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through Him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, 39 and through Him everyone who believes is freed from all things, from which you could not be freed through the Law of Moses.”

– Act 13:38-39

“and after he brought them out, he said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 They said, “ Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”

– Act 16:30-31


– 1Tim 2:3-6

Received by faith

“For this reason it is by faith, in order that it may be in accordance with grace, so that the promise will be guaranteed to all the descendants, not only to those who are of the Law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all” - Rom 4:16

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.” - Rom 5:1-2

“Even so Abraham BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS. 7 Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham. 8 The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles

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by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “ALL THE NATIONS WILL BE BLESSED IN YOU.” 9 So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the believer.” Gal 3:6-9

“But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; 25 whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; 26for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. 27Where then is boasting? It is excluded what kind of law? Of works? No, but by a law of faith.” - Rom 3:21-27

“Of Him all the prophets bear witness that through His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins.” - ACT 10:43

“Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,”

“Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.”- 1CO 15:1-4,11

Christ is received

“He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.” - Jn 1:11-13

“Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him.”- Col 2:6

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.” – Rev 3:20

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17For in it the

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righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "BUT THE RIGHTEOUS man SHALL LIVE BY FAITH." - Rom 1:16-17

“That if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. For the Scripture says, “WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; for “WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.” How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!” However, they did not all heed the good news; for Isaiah says, “LORD, WHO HAS BELIEVED OUR REPORT?”So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.” - Rom 10: 9-17

Believers now perfected

“fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” - Heb 12:2

“and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven. 21And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, 22yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach.” - Col 1:20-22

“and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority.” - Col 2:10

“But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption.” - 1Cor 1:30

“Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.” - 1Cor 6:11

“For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.” - 1Cor 6:20

“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace.” - Eph 1:7

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“but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.”

- 1Jn 1:7

“I said to him, "My lord, you know." And he said to me, "These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” - Rev 7:14

“Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city.” - Rev 22:14

THOSE WHO RESIST THE GRACE ARE CONDEMNED

The grace of God can be received or rejected. Christ’s finished work at the cross brings life to those who believe but condemnation to those who disbelieve because they did not believe in the name of the Son of God who made the atonement. It is effective to all men, life to those who have faith in Christ but death to those who believe not the Son of God. Salvation of God is free but it is not cheap. It cost the death and blood of the Son of God. Our Lord God is not only a Savior but is also the Judge. How can He provided salvation for man and man could reject it? Judgment falls on those who refuse because of their evil deeds. Only those who continue and stand firm in the grace of God and abide in His love shall be saved. The unbelievers who refuse God’s love, kindness and grace are condemned.

Believers continue in His grace

“And working together with Him, we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain— 2 for He says, “AT THE ACCEPTABLE TIME I LISTENED TO YOU, AND ON THE DAY OF SALVATION I HELPED YOU.” Behold, now is “THE ACCEPTABLE TIME,” behold, now is “THE DAY OF SALVATION….

“Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? 15 Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? 16 Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, “I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM; AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE. 17 “Therefore, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE,” says the Lord. “AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN; And I will welcome you.

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18 “And I will be a father to you, And you shall be sons and daughters to Me,” Says the Lord Almighty.”

– 2Cor 6:1-2, 14-18

“Through Silvanus, our faithful brother (for so I regard him), I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it!” – 1Pet 5:12

“Behold then the kindness and severity of God; to those who fell, severity, but to you, God’s kindness, if you continue in His kindness; otherwise you also will be cut off.” - Rom 11:22

Wicked and unbelievers condemned

“For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. 18 “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. 19 “This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. 20 “For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.” Jn 3:17-20

“But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on Him: 38 That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed? 39 Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again, 40 He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.” - John 12:37-40

“You men who are stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears are always resisting the Holy Spirit; you are doing just as your fathers did.” – Act 7:51

And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them over to a DEPRAVED mind, to do what should not be done. 29 They are filled with every kind of unrighteousness, wickedness, covetousness, malice. They are rife with envy, murder, strife, deceit, hostility. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, contrivers of all sorts of evil, disobedient to parents, 31 senseless, covenant-breakers, heartless, ruthless. 32 Although they fully know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but also approve of those who practice them.”

- Rom 1:28-32

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“Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance? 5 But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, 6 who WILL RENDER TO EACH PERSON ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS: 7 to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life; 8 but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation. 9 There will be tribulation and distress for every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek, 10 but glory and honor and peace to everyone who does good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 11 For there is no partiality with God.” - Rom 2:4-11

“But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? 17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. 18 But I say, surely they have never heard, have they? Indeed they have; “THEIR VOICE HAS GONE OUT INTO ALL THE EARTH, AND THEIR WORDS TO THE ENDS OF THE WORLD.” - Rom 10:16-18

“So we see that they were not able to enter because of unbelief. 4:1 Therefore, let us fear if, while a promise remains of entering His rest, any one of you may seem to have come short of it. 2 For indeed we have had good news preached to us, just as they also; but the word they heard did not profit them, because it was not united by faith in those who heard. 3 For we who have believed enter that rest, just as He has said, “AS I SWORE IN MY WRATH, THEY SHALL NOT ENTER MY REST,” although His works were finished from the foundation of the world.”

- Heb 3:19-4:3

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION


Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ

“For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace. 17 For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.”

– Jn 1:16-17

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The grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. God’s grace is that He loved the world. God’s grace is that Jesus died for the unjust and ungodly. God through His Son destroyed the works of Satan, the enemy and obtained righteousness for man. At the cross there was a real sacrifice, real payment and ransom made. Our sins were laid on Him. He was sent to take away the sins of the world through the sacrifice of Himself. And He took away the sins of the world. He made the atonement once and for all. Our sins were dealt with on the cross. Paid and atoned for. He reconciled the world to God. He removed the barrier- the sin that separates man from God taking it out of the way and condemning sin in the flesh and nailing it at the cross. He carried all our sins, all our sorrows and infirmities. He brought everlasting righteousness the righteousness of God through faith in Him. Before His last breath He said, “It is finished.” Now that He died for the sins of the whole world salvation is offered to all men. The grace of God by which we are saved can be received through faith in Christ- the righteousness of God. Heaven is now open. Men can enter the Kingdom of God freely through the Son. Salvation never been imagined is now a reality. God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whosoever shall believe shall not perish but have everlasting life. God has commanded all men everywhere for the forgiveness of sins.

Having all these truth, we are called and commanded by our God and Savior to be the light for the world. We who have come to the Light and have received the life should bring His salvation to the world. It’s free. It’s a free gift. Jesus said, “Freely you received freely give.” It is received through faith in the Son of God who loved us and gave Himself for us. Many are living in darkness. Many are under the power of the devil. The Son of God came and has destroyed the works of the devil. People just do not know the truth. It is FINISHED. It is DONE. How can they know the truth if no one tells them? How can they know Him if no one tells them about Him? How can they hear if you will not go? How blessed are they who bring many unto the Light and righteousness through the gospel and by grace of God for they shall shine as stars in the sky. They shall have their great reward from the Lord.

GO!

Let us bring out the people from darkness to the Light.

Christ is the payment.He is the ransom.

He is the atonement.He is the propitiation not only for our sins

but also for the whole world.It is finished.

As workers with Him

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He said,“I shall never leave you nor forsake you.”

“For so the Lord has commanded us,‘I HAVE PLACED YOU AS A LIGHT FOR THE GENTILES,

THAT YOU MAY BRING SALVATION TO THE END OF THE EARTH.’ ”Act 13:47

Glory be to God for His calling, mercy and grace!

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truly grace he died for all -...

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