BEN F. VICK, JR.
The eternal Word in the bosom of the Father left the beauties of heaven and walked upon this low ground of sin and sorrow. His heavenly Father sent him. Why did he send his only begotten Son to this world?
God, our Father, sent his Son because he loved us. The Apostle of Love wrote, “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.” (John 3:16.) Paul wrote, “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Rom. 5:6-8.) Who can comprehend the Father’s love for us in sending the most precious gift to this sinful world? What earthly father would be willing to give up his Son for lawbreakers?
The Father sent his Son to be the perfect example for humanity. Peter wrote, “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:” (1 Peter 2:21-23.) Man needs direction. In the long-ago Jeremiah sobbed, “O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: It is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.” (Jer. 10:23.) Twice in the book of Proverbs, we are told, “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, But the end thereof are the ways of death.” (Prov. 14:12; 16:25.) Jesus Christ is the Light of the world. His example is the ultimate gold standard. All other leaders of men fall far short of his sinless life (2 Cor. 5:21; Heb. 4:15). Jesus showed us how to be obedient to the Father. He said, “For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.” (John 6:38.)
The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ sent him to be our high priest. Since he became a partaker of flesh and blood when he entered this world and was touched with the feelings of our infirmities, God’s children have the perfect high priest. Without Jesus Christ as our mediator and our high priest, we have no means of approaching the Father in heaven. We read of him: “Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.” (Heb. 7:25-27.)
Our heavenly Father sent his Only Begotten Son to die for the world. From eternity it was determined that the Word would become flesh to die for mankind. The writer of Hebrews tells us, “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.” (Heb. 2:9.) On the isle of Patmos, John wrote, “And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” (Rev. 13:8.) His death was no accident; it was planned. Every lamb slain from the foundation of the world typified the Lamb of God who came to take away sin. Jesus poured out his blood that we might have remission of our sins (Matt. 26:28; Heb. 9:22; Eph. 1:7; Rev. 1:5).
John tells his readers, “And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.” (1 John 4:14.) The Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world. Paul wrote, “This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation. For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.” (1 Tim. 4:9-10.) God the Father is the Savior of the world because he designed the plan whereby man might be saved. He sent his only begotten Son to die so that the world might be saved.
Since Jesus Christ, the Word, the Son of God, the Light of the World, the great I Am, died for all people, why are not all going to be saved? The Universalist thinks all will be saved, regardless of how they lived on this earth. However, the New Testament teaches that only a few will be saved. “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” (Matt. 7:13-14.) In the same context, Jesus said, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” (Matt. 7:21-23.)
Note again the verse quoted above: “For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.” (1 Tim. 4:10.) God is “the Savior of all men, specially of those that believe,” that is, particularly those who believe. Not all will be saved, though Jesus died for all.
“Those that believe” is not limited to faith only, but includes repenting of one’s sins (Acts 17:30), confessing Christ (Rom. 10:10), and being baptized (Mark 16:15-16.) Have you taken these steps? If not, did the Father send his Son in vain?