Accomplished in Death - part 3 of 4

World Meaning Everyone, World Meaning Believers Worldwide
This brings attention to the use of the word "world" in 2 Cor 5:19, as well as in other places throughout Scripture (which for the sake of time and space only 2 Cor 5:19 will be discussed in this 4 part blog). "World" in 2 Cor 5:19 can only mean one of two things: either in Christ God has reconciled every human to Himself, or it is intended that He has reconciled something or some group other than every human. By "world" it is surely not meant the cosmos, as the cosmos has no sins against which can be counted. It is also surely not meant an opportunity, as the sins mentioned have already not been counted (which is something accomplished, not hoped for) against their performers. So one must decide whether it is universalism affirmed by this verse (which will nullify all use of Scripture), or rather "world" here is meant believers, or sheep, throughout the world who had already existed, and who did exist, and who would exist; sheep that have been named by the shepherd and given by the Father. As the angel of the Lord confirms in Joseph's dream about which we read in Matthew 1:21, "She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." God's people, His elect, His sheep, His children of promise, and indeed not the world meaning all human beings, are for whom Christ was sent and came to save. Hebrews chapter 9 (particularly verse 28) confirms that it is many for whom Christ died. In his work, the Death of Death in the Death of Christ, John Owen said, "That Christ should die for all, and yet not be a ransom for all, himself affirming that he came to "give his life for many," Matt. 20:28, is to me a plain contradiction. The death of Christ, in the first most general notion and apprehension thereof, is a ransom."

"No One Can Come"
We also see in the Gospel according to John an action of the Father that enables His own to come to Christ to receive the benefits of His oblation and intercession. John 6:44 says that "no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him..." These two words, "no one", disclude no human being. The Greek word used for "no one" is oudeis which means, not even one man, woman, or thing, none, nobody, or nothing. So everyone is included, and no one is exempt from this word, oudeis. Oudeis is used in several other places in the New Testament including John 3:27 (A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.) and 6:65 (no man can come to me, unless it is granted him of the Father.). Applying this truth to what we have seen of Christ's sheep in the previous parts of this study, it follows that not even one man or woman, oudeis, can come as sheep to their Shepherd unless an action by the Father occurs which is the act of drawing. In his introduction to John Owen's the Death of Death in the Death of Christ, J. I. Packer says, "The old gospel, while stressing that faith is man's duty, stresses also that faith is not in man's power, but that God must give what He commands. It announces, not merely that men must come to Christ for salvation, but also that they cannot come unless Christ Himself draws them."

Oudeis is an all inclusive word. In John 3:27 oudeis is rendered as "nothing". "A man can receive oudeis, except it be given him from heaven." Here, John the Baptist confesses that his office of forerunner to Christ was not achieved in and of himself, but that he could not receive anything unless it was graciously given to him from heaven. So are the drawing and granting of the Father to His sheep also received by no one unless given to be received. In John 6:65 oudeis is rendered once again as "no one". "And he said, 'This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.'" Jesus includes every single human being as being unable to come to Him unless it is granted to him by the Father. In other words, there is not one single person in the entire world that can come to Jesus, unless the Father grants that person to come to Jesus. This truth is proclaimed throughout Scripture. This is how someone becomes a sheep; this is what it means to be given by the Father (John 10:29). Then by what means are we brought into the flock if no one can come to Him unless drawn or granted the ability to do so? John 6:45 gives us insight: "It is written in the Prophets, 'And they will all be taught by God.' Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me." God draws us and grants us the ability to come to Him by teaching us. As David says in Psalm 51:6, "...you teach me wisdom in the secret heart." The Father teaches us and gives us a new heart and a new spirit (Ezekiel 36:26). And the effect of that is as Jesus says in the latter of John 6:45, "Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me." He doesn't say that some will come after hearing and learning. This calling, drawing, granting, and teaching is effectual. If you hear and learn from the Father, if you are drawn, if it is granted to you to come, then you will most certainly come and eat as one of Christ's sheep.

tomorrow...Sacrifice to Sacrifice and some concluding comments