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CHRIST'S GLORIOUS FINISHED WORK
Nothing is clearer in the Scriptures than the truth of Christ's once-for-all-time finished work on behalf of those for whom He died. The disagreement that exists as to just whom it was for whom Christ died is also clearly settled by the Scriptures. The whole teaching of the Bible concerning Jesus' death on the tree and what He accomplished by it is that He, the Good Shepherd, gave His life for His sheep just as He said: “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep,” (John 10:11). Christ gave Himself as a sacrifice in His bloody death. Concerning His sacrifice consider these verses: “And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this man [Christ], after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God... For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.” (Hebrews 10:11, 12, 14). Notice that Christ's one offering of Himself has “perfected for ever” certain people: those for whom His sacrifice was made. If Christ died for all men then all men are complete, perfected, in need of nothing else: all men are saved and safe and will spend eternity with God. Ordinary Jewish priests offered the same sacrifices over and over because such sacrifices as they offered could not take away sin, But Christ's once-for-all-eternity sacrifice of Himself accomplished the salvation of those that were “sanctified.” So He sat down never to sacrifice Himself again for nothing more was needed. The word “sanctified” means “set apart for a special use.” Years ago many of us had “sanctified clothes” though we probably never called them that. I had school clothes, play clothes and my “Sunday go to meetin'” clothes. I never played in the dirt in either my Sunday clothes or my school clothes. Neither did I wear my play clothes to school or to Church. Each was set apart for its particular use. So it is with people. “According 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). Notice that God's purpose in choosing some is that they should be “holy and without blame.” Sinners ought not to complain that they were not chosen: they do not love holiness, rather, they love sin. Those who were not chosen are allowed to live according to their sinful nature and are happy to do so. They exercise their wills in accordance with their evil hearts and please their sinful natures by sinning. “Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be,” (Romans 8:7). The Psalmist wrote: “...I will rejoice in thy salvation,” (Psalm 9:14). Rejoice in the salvation Christ made once and for all for His sheep! There is nothing to be added to His finished work!
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