#243-EP43 ~ Ephesians 2:13-18
Ephesians 2:13
13 But now [things have changed] in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off [as aliens and enemies to God] are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
Gentiles enjoy a different position now due to the reconciliatory work of Christ. This is what “the blood of Christ” speaks of.
Romans 3:24-26
24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
25 Whom 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;
26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
Romans 5:8-10
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
We must always remember the content of 2 Corinthians 5:18-21
18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
Forgiveness was provided at the cross, not at the point of someone’s faith and belief. Justification and salvation is provided at the point of faith.
Question 1: Will reconciled people be in hell? YES! That’s like asking if there will be people in Hell that Christ died for. Of course! Many! Don’t people have to believe Christ died for their sins to get saved? Isn’t that a part of our gospel message? Please see 1 Cor. 15:1-4 and this next verse–
2 Corinthians 5:19
19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
This is often called “one way reconciliation.” He’s been reconciled to us but we need to be reconciled to Him.
Question 2: Will people for whom Christ died be in hell? Again, YES!
1 Timothy 2:5-6
5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
6 Who gave himself a ransom for ALL, to be testified in due time.
1 John 2:2
2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
Question 3: Will forgiven people be in hell? YES! But not one that’s expressed faith in Jesus Christ for their salvation.
2 Corinthians 5 continued…
20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. 21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
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