God is infinite in His being, and in His
perfections. Hence His operations are not limited to the mere span of
time. The outgoings of His Wisdom, and power, and love, are from
everlasting to everlasting.
In my view, there is nothing that will so effectually break down sin, as
a belief that all sin has been atoned for. That is God's royal way of
bestowing favors. But then we need renewal. That may require a shorter
or a longer process, but it will come, either in this life or the next.
In a multitude of passages in the divine Word we know that God desires
this. Not only so, but God has expressed His desire in the gift of His
Son. If we had any doubt, surely that might convince us. And I believe
it will convince us yet. The doctrine of a universal atonement is now
generally accented. Even Calvinists have declared almost unanimously
that Christ died for the whole world. And if we had not that declaration
in words, we have it even more emphatically in missionary enterprise.
Still there is a remnant of the old belief that Christ died only for the
sins of the elect. I believe the day is coming when there will be the
assured conviction that He died for the sins of the world. Then there
will follow the joyous assurance that there is salvation for the world,
to be realized either in this life or the next.
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