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Grounded-In-Biblical-Truth |
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The redeeming work of Jesus Christ was in the mind of John the apostle when he wrote, "By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us" (1 John 3:16).
Here is redemption obtained by God Himself: "He laid down His life for us." None of us can obtain redemption for ourselves or for another (Psalm 49:7f): "None ... can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him ...." God Himself has therefore obtained redemption. The Son of God became also Son of man, bore the sins of sinners in His own sinless body, and died for them. The redeemed are therefore said to be purchased by the blood of God Himself (Acts 20:28). Here is redemption obtained because of love: "By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us." We see here the love of God the Father (1 John 4:10): "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." And we see here the love of God the Son (Ephesians 5:25): "Christ ... loved the church and gave Himself for it." The redeemed therefore sing "What wondrous love is this?"
Here is redemption obtained through the ultimate sacrifice: "He laid down His life for us." Many love their friends enough to sacrifice all their wealth for their friends' redemption, but this is not enough (Psalm 49:6-8). Redemption requires the greatest love and the ultimate sacrifice (John 15:13): "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends." The Son of God loved His friends enough to do so. They are therefore told "you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver and gold, ... but with the precious blood of Christ" (1 Peter 1:18f). (To say "He laid down His life for us" is to say also "He shed His blood for us" [see Leviticus 17:11; Hebrews 9:22].)
Here is redemption obtained by a volunteer: "He laid down His life for us." He was not coerced to do so. He Himself declares, "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.... No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself" (John 10:11,18). Here is redemption obtained through a substitute: "He laid down His life for us." The Greek word here translated "for", huper, means "in behalf of others." The Son of God did not die for His own sins, because "[He] committed no sin" (1 Peter 2:22). Rather, He died vicariously, in behalf of others, as their substitute, in their place and stead.
God therefore declares "For the transgressions of My people He was stricken" (Isaiah 53:8; also v.5). This doctrine is called substitutionary atonement.
Here is redemption obtained for a particular people: "He laid down His life for us." Those who posit the doctrine of universal atonement assert Christ died for the sins of every member of mankind. They deny the teaching of Christ Himself, who taught the doctrine of limited atonement by declaring His life was given not for every one, but "for many" (Matthew 20:28; 26:28).
John has in this same third chapter identified the particular people for whom Christ died. In verse 10, he distinguishes the "children of the devil" from the "children of God" with whom he himself was numbered, and then here in verse 16 declares "[Christ] laid down His life for us." This doctrine of particular redemption is emphasized throughout the Scriptures. Christ died for those who were chosen and predestined to salvation by God (Ephesians 1:1-7). These are called His "people" (Isaiah 53:8; Matthew 1:21), His "sheep" (John 10:11, in contrast to unbelieving "goats" in v.26), His "church" (Acts 20:28; Ephesians 5:25), and those who will "practice righteousness" (here in 1 John 3:10). All others, because of their unbelief, will perish eternally in the lake of fire (Revelation 21:8). Do you by saving faith in Jesus Christ acknowledge He laid down His life for you?
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
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