Salvation part 4: Substitutionary Atonement

Have you ever thought through the doctrine of Substitutionary atonement? Monday night I had a conversation with a man who believes that Jesus died for our sins, everyone's sins. I asked him if he believed in the doctrine of substitutionary atonement.

There is a strange phenomenon occuring in evangelicalism today. Many use reformed terminology while redefining historical terms. Historically speaking, substitutionary atonement means simply this: when Jesus died on the cross, the sins of His people are imputed or credited to Him.

So was anyone saved at the cross? If Jesus died to simply make salvation possible, then salvation falls squarely into the hands of men. If any of you, who call yourselves evangelical Christians, read this, think about all of the mormons who agree with that understanding. All of the religions of men make salvation some kind of cooperation where God's grace is coupled with man's choice and tada..., salvation!

If Jesus died as a substitute for every single individual, then why do sinners go to hell. According to my friend last Monday night, Jesus dies for all of our sins except for the sin of unbelief. Can anyone show me that from the Scriptures? Does not the Bible say that men are storing up wrath for themselves against the day of wrath due to their sins? How do you store up something that has been forgiven? Is unbelief something that Jesus can't pay for at the cross? Fourteen years ago, I did not believe in Jesus. Is that sin still unforgiven?

Maybe a better question would be, "Is it possible that all men would freely choose to remain in their unbelief and therefore Jesus saved no one at the cross?" How you answer this question will show what you truly think of yourself and God's sovereignty and majesty.