| There are those who would limit the “whosoever” of John 3:16 and tell us that it means only the elect. They say that Christ did not die for all, but for certain chosen people. What a strange and Christ-dishonoring teaching this is, for God’s Word tells us that “He is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world,” and that “we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that He by the grace of God should taste death for every man.” Further, “the man Christ Jesus … gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” If Christ did not die for all, then we must conclude also that all men did not become sinners by Adam’s sin. “As by the offense of one [Adam] judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one [Christ] the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.” Thank God that, without exception, “whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” “And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” |
