Salvation began in eternity past with the plan of God. Before the foundation of the world, God the Father designed redemption and commissioned God the Son to accomplish it. Scripture declares that God “saved us and called us… according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity” (2 Tim. 1:9). The Son, the eternal Word, willingly agreed to this mission, saying, “Behold, I have come… to do Your will, O God” (Heb. 10:7). Scripture reveals, “when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman” (Gal. 4:4). He entered history as the God-Man, true deity and true humanity united without confusion or division. This is the hypostatic union, the only Person qualified to mediate between God and man (1 Tim. 2:5).
The Holy Spirit played a decisive role in the incarnation. Jesus was conceived through divine agency in the womb of the virgin Mary, a supernatural act. The angel Gabriel explained, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason, the holy Child shall be called the Son of God” (Luke 1:35). This ensured that Christ’s humanity was real yet untainted by sin. He was born without a sin nature, fully human and perfectly righteous. Scripture affirms, “He knew no sin” (2 Cor. 5:21), and “in Him there is no sin” (1 John 3:5). His unstained humanity qualified Him to go to the cross as the spotless Lamb of God (John 1:29), uniquely able to bear the sins of the world.
At the cross, the purpose of His coming reached its climax. In His humanity, in His physical body, Jesus bore our sins and paid the full penalty. Scripture states, “He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross” (1 Pet. 2:24). The justice of God was satisfied as Christ was judged in our place. Isaiah writes, “He was pierced through for our transgressions” (Isa. 53:5), and “The Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him” (Isa. 53:6). This is substitutionary atonement. Christ died as our substitute, taking the punishment we deserved, so that God could remain just while justifying the one who believes in Jesus (Rom. 3:26–28; 4:5; 5:1). When Jesus declared, “It is finished” (John 19:30), the work of redemption was fully accomplished. Afterward, He died physically and was placed in a grave (Matt. 27:59–60), and then was raised to life on the third day (Matt. 28:5–6).
Jesus’ resurrection was bodily, literal, and permanent. He rose never to die again (Rom. 6:9), demonstrating victory over sin, death, and the grave. His work on the cross was sufficient for all mankind, for “He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world” (1 John 2:2). Unlimited atonement means “that Messiah died for all humanity, and salvation, based upon that death, is therefore offered to all humanity.”[1] Christ died for all, but the benefits of His work are applied only to those who believe. The sole condition for receiving eternal life is faith alone in Christ alone. Scripture states, “He who believes in Him has eternal life” (John 3:16). At the moment of faith in Jesus, God grants forgiveness (Acts 10:43), imputes His righteousness (2 Cor. 5:21), and gives eternal life (John 10:28).
The gospel message is “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” (1 Cor. 15:3–4). Salvation was made available to everyone, but each person must personally believe in Christ as Savior. God does not force anyone to be saved. The provision has been paid in full, and the offer is totally free to all who want it. According to Geisler, “Salvation is given by an act of God’s freedom, and it is received by an act of our freedom. To be sure, this act of freedom is aided by God’s grace, but His grace does not save apart from the co-operation of our will.”[2]
This brings the issue to a point of personal decision. Christ has done the work. The penalty has been paid in full. Eternal life is offered as a free gift. Scripture says, “The free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 6:23b). The question is whether one will believe in Him. Will you trust that Jesus is the eternal Son of God who came in the flesh, died for your sins, and rose again? This is not about good works, reform, or religion. Scripture is clear, “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God not as a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Eph. 2:8–9). At this very moment, you can place your faith in Christ and receive eternal life. Scripture reveals, “whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16b), and “He who believes in the Son has eternal life” (John 3:36a). We need only Christ to be saved.
Steven R. Cook, D.Min., M.Div.
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[1] Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum, God’s Will & Man’s Will: Predestination, Election, & Free Will, ed. Christiane Jurik, 2nd Edition (San Antonio, TX: Ariel Ministries, 2014), 43.
[2] Norman L. Geisler, Systematic Theology, Volume Three: Sin, Salvation (Minneapolis, MN: Bethany House Publishers, 2004), 188.