Question
A pastor of a local church recently preached about “full atonement;” saying that because Christ died for all of us… we were all saved. Of course there are numerous passages in scripture which speak to “choice/acceptance of Christ” as a vital element of grace. My question is this: Are there any scriptural passages which speak in defense of the pastor’s statement: that we are ALL granted full atonement, regardless of our choice to believe, follow, love and worship Christ/God? What might have propelled this pastor to make the claim of “full atonement”?
Answer
Excellent question. By full atonement, I assume he means that since Jesus has died for all, then all are saved, no matter what they do. One passage that is often used to prove this is 1 John 2:1-2 which says,
1JO 2:1 My little children, I am writing these things to you that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous;
1JO 2:2 and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.
This passage that Jesus’ sacrifice is sufficient enough for the forgiveness of the world’s sins, not just Christians’ sins. But, does this mean that we have no responsibility in coming to a position where we might receive the benefits of His sacrifice, forgiveness of sins?
As you well pointed out we do have a responsibility in acting by obedient faith toward God in becoming a Christian and remaining a Christian. In the previous chapter, John writes the following words,
1JO 1:6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth;
1JO 1:7 but if we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.
If Jesus sacrifice was extended to all no matter how we behaved, then why does John tell Christians they need to repent of and confess their sins? He does because although Jesus has provided full atonement, in the sense that is is adequate for anyone’s and everyone’s forgiveness, we must come to Him by obedient faith to receive this forgiveness.
HEB 5:8 Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered.
HEB 5:9 And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation,
By Gary Hunt
