Expert: Pastor Don Carpenter - 8/26/2007

Question
Hi,

I've been a Christian for a long time, but lately I've been doing some thinking. Why did Jesus die on the cross for all of us even though he knew only some of us would be saved and go to heaven?

Sidney  

Answer
Hi Sid,

THank you for this great question.  I could go into deep theological implications and speculation as I attempt to answer this question, but for now I will try to keep this answer simple and to the point.

John 3:16
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

1 John 2:1-2


My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

1.  Jesus loved the whole world.
2.  The only way that anyone or everyone can get to heaven is if Jesus pays for their sins on the cross.

3.  It is not His will that anyone go to Hell.

2 Peter 3:9
9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

4.  Although Jesus wants everyone to go to heaven by accepting His free gift of eternal life, He leaves the choice up to each individual.  Notice the conflict between what Jesus wanted to do with the people of Jerusalem, and what they would alow.  God always yields to man's free will.

Matthew 23:37
37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

I hope that this helps you.

In Christ
Pastor Don