extravagantchristian wrote:I think non believers have their sins atoned for, (he died once for all) but is their name going to be found in the book of life? That's the question.
2 Cor 5 states that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself. John tells us that Jesus died for the sins of the whole world.
All sins committed by all mankind were paid for on the Cross. Not atoned, which means covered, but propitiated, which means that satisfaction was provided by an acceptable substitute.
Jesus said that all sins would be forgiven men, excepting the blasphemy of the Spirit.
When John wrote that He is faithful and just to forgive our sins, how is it "just" that He forgive? Because they've been paid for. It's like I buy you a car. I've paid the price. All is satisfied. Now you go to pick up the car. The dealer has to give it to you, since I've paid for it. If he doesn't, he's in the wrong.
So in a sense, all sins have been forgiven to all men. But that's not enough. You must be born again, or you cannot enter the kingdom of heaven. Just like you have to show up at the dealer and drive off in the car, you have to received God's forgiveness. But you can receive it because it's already been provided.
Love in Christ,
Mark