DID CHRIST DIE FOR ME?
We
know that Christ did not die for all men. Christ died for the elect
the Father chose unto salvation [JOHN
6:37-39 and 17:24].
Christ died for His sheep not goats [JOHN
10:11-15]. Then how do I know if Christ died for me? Christ
died for you if you fit the description of the people for whom He
died. Christ died for the ungodly [ROMANS
5:6]. Christ died for sinners [ROMANS
5:8]. If you are an ungodly sinner, Christ died for you. Come
to Him as all of your
salvation. If you see some goodness in yourself or something that
would make God save you, I pray God would give you an accurate view
of yourself because Christ “came not to call the
righteous, but sinners to repentance” [LUKE
5:32].
The
Gospel is not an offer from God. He does not offer His mercy
and grace so that it is up to your acceptance or rejection of what is
offered; as to whether or not you will have it. He does not
offer anyone the forgiveness of sins. He does not offer
salvation, and then wait and see if we accept His offer. If any
aspect of salvation is an offer that means the determining
factor of salvation lies in man’s decision to accept or reject the
offer. That is salvation by works in grace clothing. The Gospel is a
gracious command. When He says, “Come
unto Me all ye that labour and are heavy laden,”
that is an imperative. “If any man
thirst let him come to Me and drink,” that is an
imperative. When we read, “Whosoever will,
let him take the water of life freely,” that is a
gracious command.
I
need not wonder if I am offered salvation or invited to believe.
Being weary and heavy laden, I am commanded to come to Him for
rest. Thirsting, I am commanded to come to Him and drink. Having
nothing to pay, I am commanded to take the water of life freely.
God does not offer. He commands. And the ability to obey the
command comes with the commandment. When He commanded the man with
the withered hand to stretch forth his hand, the man stretched forth
his withered hand. When He says to a man….”Believe”…..they
believe!
-Gospel
report by preacher Todd Nibert
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