Propitiation and Substitution

From: Young Christian: Volume 12, 1922

• 2 min. read • grade level: 4

Many puzzle as to whom Christ died for. Some say that He is a substitute for the whole world; others, that He died for only the elect. Both are wrong. He is a propitiation for the whole world, a substitute for all who believe. And believers are the elect of God, chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world (Eph. 1:4⁴According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: (Ephesians 1:4)). The Word of God is plain.

The following illustration may serve to simplify: I put down a large sum of money on a table for a room full of people who are in debt. Are any benefited as to their debts? Not unless they believe. But some do believe me; what do they do? Why, take some, to be sure, and use it. Any who do not believe, leave it alone.

So Christ died for all (2 Cor. 5:14, 15¹⁴For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: ¹⁵And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. (2 Corinthians 5:14‑15)). God hath set Him forth a propitiation for all (Rom. 3:25²⁵Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; (Romans 3:25); 1 John 2:2²And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. (1 John 2:2)). And all are hopeless debtors to God on account of their sins.

But some poor burdened one believes God, and can say of Christ, with Paul, "Who loved me, and gave Himself for me" (Gal. 2:20²⁰I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)). Christ is that person's substitute, and he may know too that he is one of the elect.

Another does not believe, and therefore remains in his sins; and not only so, but God will cast him into the lake of fire for his unbelief (Rev. 20:15¹⁵And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:15)).

"The sinner who believes is free,

Can say, The Savior died for me;

Can point to the atoning blood,

And say, This made my peace with God."

My reader, you may know that Christ died a propitiation for all; but unless you believe on Him, He is not your substitute, and you cannot be saved.

It is blessedly true that Christ died for all.

But can you say from the heart, Christ died for me.'

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