By Tope Banso
“He [Christ] is the sacrifice for our sins. He takes away not only our sins but the sins of all the world” (1 John 2:2 New Living Translation).
Jesus Christ died for all! I am happy that Christ didn’t die for a particular denomination or for Christians only. He died for the world! 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 says, “For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all , that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again” (New King James Vision).
The Bible says God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16). That scripture doesn’t say God sent His Son to save Christians; He sent Him to save the world. Some Christians, by their attitude, tend to give the wrong impression that Jesus died for them alone. Some others know He died for the world, but they’re indifferent that a large number of the people Christ died for are yet to know that He died for them.
Christ died for the world, not for Christians alone! Those who have received Jesus as their Lord and Saviour have a responsibility to share the good news with others, that God loved them, and sent Jesus to die to save them. Instead of doing that, many think that Jesus died for them to enjoy the good life only. After all, Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10b New King James Version). That is true. But is that good life only for such people to enjoy? Aren’t others that Jesus died also entitled to this good life?
No Christian should act as if he or she is unconcerned about where others will spend their eternity. The devil doesn’t want the entire world, including the enemies of Christ, to know that Christ died for them. But He died for them. “Satan, the god of this evil world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe, so they are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News that is shining upon them. They don’t understand the message we preach about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God” (2 Corinthians 4:4 New Living Translation). We must use all biblical means to let everyone know that Jesus died for him or her.
Don’t be satisfied that you have received Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. You should desire that others know what you know, and decide for Jesus as you’ve done. Not to do that is to show you don’t love them. Because Christ died for the world, He instructed His disciples then, and today, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:15-16 New King James Version).
Christ died for the world. He died for the sins of the world. “He [Christ] is the sacrifice for our sins. He takes away not only our sins but the sins of all the world” (1 John 2:2 New Living Translation). Through His death, we receive forgiveness of sins, justification, sanctification, healing, etc. Christ died for all, but each person must receive Him and confess Him as His Lord and Saviour. “For if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9 New Living Translation). He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned (Mark 16:16).
God loves the world, not only Christians. Christ died for all, not only Christians. But each person, including you, must take a decision about Him. Accept Him and confess Him as your Lord and Saviour today. “The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise to return, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to perish, so he is giving more time for everyone to repent” (2 Peter 3:9 New Living Translation).
PRAYER POINT: Thank You, Jesus, for dying for me. I repent of my sins and confess You as my Lord and Savior today/I shall obey Your command to preach the Good News to the world.
This is wisdom for living, and it’s worth sharing. Please share.
(For more inspiring messages, visit: www.cedarministry.org).
▪ Banso heads Cedar Ministry Int’nal. & can be reached at cedarministryintl@yahoo.com, cedarministryng@gmail.com
Tel No: +2348155744752, +2348033113523
WhatsApp No: +2349081295947
