TULIP GEMS

“But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.”  (2 Peter 3:18)

MESSIAH'S OBEDIENCE 

Christ lived a life of perfect obedience to God's Law.  He was sinless (Hebrews 4:15).  This is known as His active obedience to God the Father.  He also obeyed His Father by dying on the cross for sinners.  This is known as His passive obedience (John 10:18). 

The sin of Adam did not make the condemnation of all men merely possible.  Rather, it was the ground of their actual condemnation.  So too, the obedience of Christ does not make the salvation of the elect merely possible, it is the ground of their actual salvation.  

The death of Messiah SECURED the salvation of the elect.  He OBTAINED eternal redemption for us (Hebrews 9:12).  But while the extent of the Atonement is limited to God's elect, the value of the Atonement is unlimited. 

VALUE AND EXTENT 

The VALUE of Christ's Atonement is INFINITE.  It would have to be, based on two (2) reasons: 

1. The infinite value of the One making the Atonement -- the Son of God. 

2. The infinite debt each of the elect owed God for their sins.  

The Bible does NOT limit the VALUE of the Atonement.  Christ only limits FOR WHOM it was intended (see John 10:11 and 17:9).  It was intended for the elect people of God.  He limits its extent, but not its value.

If Christ died for ALL men without exception, then we have a DEFEATED SAVIOUR.  Why?  Because most of mankind, from Adam until the present day, have perished in their sins.

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