Sovereign Grace Doctrines
Concerning 'THE GOSPEL' - JESUS CHRIST
|
Grounded-In-Biblical-Truth |
|
|
|
Grounded-In-Biblical-Truth |
|
Mankind is in need of redemption. We are by nature sinful, enslaved by Satan, and subject to the retributive wrath of God (Ephesians 2:1-3).
A glorious redemption has been made for "the church of God which He purchased with His own blood" (Acts 20:28).
Here is particular redemption. It was never God's intention, nor is He in any way obligated, to redeem the whole human race -- else He is an utter failure. Rather, it is His purpose to redeem a specific portion of humanity: "the church of God."
The "church of God" is that congregation of persons called by God out of the world to be His own special people. They have been chosen and predestined and called by God to be conformed to the image of His Son, Jesus Christ (Romans 8:29f).
This church is the special object of God's love. "Christ ... loved the church and gave himself for it, that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that it should be holy and without blemish" (Ephesians 5:25-27). It is true that God's love is experienced by all humanity -- even His enemies (Matthew 5:44-48) and those who refuse to follow Him (Mark 10:21f). But as an earthly father has a special love for his own children -- a love that would move him to do for them what he would not do for others, so it is with God. God has therefore in love and mercy redeemed His church.
Here is accomplished redemption. God has not merely attempted to redeem His church, nor even made their redemption merely possible or even probable. Rather, He has accomplished their redemption. The church of God has been "purchased"!
This redemption has been accomplished by the Son of God, Jesus Christ. During the days of His ministry on earth, He declared He had come "as the Son of Man ... to give His life a ransom for many" (Matthew 20:28). And at the end of His earthly ministry, He shouted in victory in His dying breath, "It is finished!" (John 17:30). He Himself has ascertained that the church of God is purchased.
Here is divine redemption. The church of God has been purchased "with His own blood"!
The blood of God! How can God, who is Spirit without a body (John 4:24), have blood? Only through the incarnation of God. Almost 2000 years ago, "God was manifested in the flesh" (1 Timothy 3:16) as the Son of God "became flesh and dwelt among us" (John 1:14). The Son of God thereby became also Son of Man, assuming a human body through which flowed human blood. The blood of the incarnate Son of God is therefore the blood of God.
Having redeemed His people with His own blood, it is certain God will not be denied their salvation. Every soul for whom God has paid the price of redemption will most certainly be saved, and none of them will perish in the lake of fire.
This glorious redemption is slandered by many preachers today. They may admit that God has paid the price of redemption with His own blood, but they nevertheless claim that He will be denied the fruits of it. They say it was His desire to redeem the whole human race, not just "the church of God." They say He has paid the price of redemption for all the human race, but this alone does not guarantee they will ultimately be saved. They say the work of redemption God has performed is worthless unless sinners make it effectual through an act of faith in Him (and/or some other work of self-righteousness). They say all who refuse to believe in God will perish in the lake of fire in spite of all that He has done for their redemption. Theirs is not a glorious redemption, is it?
How may you be assured that the Son of God has paid the price for your redemption? Through believing in Him -- not in order to complete what He has commenced, but to receive what He has accomplished. Are you a member of "the church of God which He purchased with His own blood"?
Your servant for Jesus' sake.
Address all questions to pastor
Daniel E. Parks (2 Corinthians 4:5) e-mail RedeemerBC@aol.com
Pastor, Redeemer Baptist Church
2801 Cleveland Boulevard, Louisville, KY 40206 / 502.899-9205
|
|
|
|
|