There are some who teach that on the Cross Christ bore all the sins of all men. They insist that the entire question of sin was dealt with and settled at Calvary. They declare that the only thing which will now send any man to hell, is his rejection of Christ. But such teaching is entirely unscriptural. Christ bore all the sins of believers, but for the sins of unbelievers no atonement was made. And one of the many proofs of this is furnished by John 8:24: "Ye shall die in your sins" could never have been said if the Lord Jesus removed all sins from before God.
"Then said they unto Him, who art thou? And Jesus saith unto them, Even the same that I said unto you from the beginning" (8:25). We believe that this is given much more accurately in the R.V., especially the marginal rendering: "They said therefore unto Him, Who art thou? Jesus said unto them, Altogether that which I also speak unto you." This was a remarkable utterance. The Pharisees had objected that Christ's witness of Himself was not true (v.13). The Lord replied that His witness was true, and He proved it by an appeal to the corroborative witness of the Father. Now they ask, "Who art thou?" And the incarnate Son of God answered, I am essentially and absolutely that which I have declared myself to be. I have spoken of "light": I am that light. I have spoken of "truth": I am that Truth. I am the very incarnation, personification, exemplification of them. Wondrous declaration is this! None but He could really say, I am Myself that of which I am speaking to you. The child of God may speak the truth, but he is not the Truth itself. A Christian may let his "light," shine but he is not the "Light" itself. But Christ was, and therein we perceive His uniqueness. As we read in 1 John 5:20, "We know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know Him that is true," not "Him who taught the truth," but "Him that is true."
Page 443; A.W. Pink's Exposition of the Gospel of John.
No doubt the above will shatter the illusions of many who believe they have the 'freewill' to come to Christ. Notwithstanding the above, it is true that a person presented with the Gospel who rejects it, he or she is a Christ rejecter! (see John 12:48). For, it is only "My sheep" that will "hear My voice" John 10:27. That are His that were predestined to do so, His elect. The "tares" we read of in Matthew 13, 25, and 7:21-23 never rejected Christ, no they accepted Him on their own terms. Or perhaps, "inviting Him into their hearts" (as if that could be done!). The Gospel of Christ never was an invitation, but a commandment, for God "commandeth all men everywhere to repent." Acts 17:30. Nevertheless, "many are called, but few are chosen." Matthew 22:14.
Secker of Tewkesbury said it right; "Repentance, though it be the act of man, is but the gift of God."
Work that one out with human logic if you can! Little wonder the apostle said, "His ways are past finding out!" Romans 11:33.
