Christ redeemed all men with his death on the cross?

Question

In other words, he paid the price for all men’s sins. Yet not all men are saved. What is the difference between those who are merely redeemed and those who are redeemed and saved? Is it something Jesus did, or is it something each saved individual does? If it’s something Christ did, then why aren’t all men saved? After all, Scripture says he desires that all men be saved (cf. 1 Tim. 2:3–4).
But if it’s something the individual believer did, then isn’t that a work?

Christ redeemed all men AND women. Sorry, folks.

Poor Chris. Still tying to take the place of God, I see.
The point here is that the believer has to "do" something in order to be saved. The difference between the believer and the unbeliever is not something Jesus did; it is something the believer did that the unbeliever didn’t do: The former believed, by the grace of God, but he had to cooperate with that grace. He had to do something or else he would not have been "saved."

Calm down, Chris. Even you have to admit that you responding to God's free gift is an ACT, a work. You said it yourself.

Answer 1

for all those who don't understand catholic teaching pertaining to "works"

"FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD"
if you are a bible christian you cannot argue this point as it is in the bible,if you disagree you disagree with the inspired word of god and your sole source of authority.

spiritroaming thanks for all the great questions i pray they are fruitfull and that god blesses you in your efforts. going by some answers you have great charity and patience.

Answer 2

Great Question ! I was just decussing this with a brother the other day. So here is the difference.Yes He did pay the price for ALL men sin.And the debt of sin has been paid.Now so if there is no sin problem whats the problem? UNBELIEF .So know that the Blood that Christ shed was and is a completely redeeming Blood, but when it is not mixed with faith then it is of no effect in the life of the individual. Remember when Jesus went back to His home town and could only heal a few peolpe ? It wasn't because He did not have the power to heal it was that the people did not believe on Him.Best Wishes>>

Answer 3

In other words, he paid the price for all men’s sins.
- No he didn't. He paid for the sins of those that the Father had given him.

Yet not all men are saved.
- And that's why.

What is the difference between those who are merely redeemed and those who are redeemed and saved?
- The saved are redeemed, and the redeemed are saved. No need to part the terms out.

Is it something Jesus did,
- Absolutely, but think of the Trinity in this -- The Father predestining, the Son purchasing, the Holy Spirit effectually calling.

or is it something each saved individual does?
- Each saved individual belongs to God because God chose them before the foundations of the world. Some of them don't know it right away.

If it’s something Christ did, then why aren’t all men saved?
- God is glorified in both election and reprobation, if that's what you mean.

After all, Scripture says he desires that all men be saved (cf. 1 Tim. 2:3–4).
- This doesn't mean a God sitting on the sidelines, crying, begging, hoping (praying?) for His creation to come to Him. Who is "all men"? His own, of course.

But if it’s something the individual believer did, then isn’t that a work?
- Yes, it is. No one merits heaven of their own ability.

Answer 4

In theory, it is possible that all people can be saved / redeemed. The price Jesus paid was sufficient for all the sins of the world. However, in practice, it will only be those who put FAITH in what Jesus did who will be redeemed.

Nobody will be saved who refuses to put faith in Christ.

That would be a work except for one amazing fact. No unredeemed sinner can put faith in Christ until God awakens them to their need for forgiveness and gives them the saving faith that is necessary to turn to him! That is why the apostle Paul said grace is ALL of God, so that God gets ALL the glory!

Consider also Abraham. It was not what he did that pleased God, because God prevented him actually doing what he intended to do (sacrifice Isaac). It was his faith, that reckoned God was able to resurrect Isaac after the sacrifice, that pleased God.

Answer 5

There are really two gifts that are part of Christ atonement. Immortality and Eternal Life. Immortality is living forever. That is a gift to all mankind, regardless of faith or action. Even those that condemn non believers to hell, acknowledge that they are immortal. I believe that all but a few will spend forever having the happiness they sought in life.

Eternal Life is different from Immortality. It is the kind of life our Heavenly Father has. Father is perfect and cannot stand the least degree of sin. Christ taught us to be perfect even as our Father in Heaven is perfect. Christ has cleansed us of sin that we may be with our Father once more. Christ also taught that no man comes to the Father except through Him. Hence Eternal Life is a gift that requires us to accept it by following Christ.

Answer 6

You are right when you say that Christ's sacrifice paid the price of redemption for all.

Paying the ticket for all to board a boat doesn't guarantee that they all get on the boat now, does it?

Thus John 3:16 says that there is a prerequisite for receiving the price, namely, faith. Those that put faith, exercise faith, shall not perish. Those that do no put faith are already condemned and shall perish.

Thus faith, repentance from the former evil path, works of repentance, Christian good works, a holy lifestyle are all part of the path to salvation.

Answer 7

Jesus did pay the price for all our sins and God wants everyone to be saved but you have to believe. It's like you believe your car will start but if you don't turn the key nothing will happen.

Answer 8

Salvation is an on going process on our part. We have to believe(an act of works) we have to have faith(another works). Part of our salvation is also following the Commandments(another act of works) Jesus will never take the gift of salvation from us, but for us we have to work each day to keep it, we can lose our salvation by not following the Commandments, by not seeking forgiveness and by not repenting. If none of what I listed was involved in keeping our salvation, Jesus would have said so. Jesus would have said just believe and you are once saved always saved, but as you see in the bible Jesus requires certain acts of works from us to keep our salvation.

Answer 9

Chris is helping us understand Christianity better by reiterating the Calvinist heresy every day, allowing James O and other catholic-orthodox faithful to provide further rebuttal to Calvinist misconceptions and distortions.

Among other errors, John Calvin taught "limited atonement" (or particular redemption or definite atonement): That the death of Christ actually takes away the penalty of sins of those on whom God has chosen to have mercy.

This is at issue in your question, Spiritroaming. The problem is that everything Christ does for us requires a free response FROM us. We must say YES to God through baptism, repentance, self-renunciation, faith, works of justice and charity, adopting the humility of a child, eating the bread of life, and enduring to the end.

Cheers,
Bruce

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calvinism

Answer 10

There is no irresistible grace
Christ died to save all but not all have to accept that gift since we have free will and love can only be freely accepted and cooperated with
which gift of salvation is appropriated by living in grace by faith,hope and love
and only God can judge the full and true state of a soul

CJ,
Catholics do not teach that we ever deserve salvation and the church condemed salvation by works repeatedly since the Pelagian Controversy in the 4th cent and rpeated this at trnt ,among other places. You need to read the Joint Declaration on Justification. We are praying that you open your heart and mind and please pray for us and with us in the Body of Christ.

Answer 11

no , you are redeemed if you are truly sorry for your sins with the intent to never repeat them; follow God's laws and believe in his gift , Jesus, our savior; of course God would want all his children to follow the law and believe in him but he gave us a gift of choosing him or not; it doesn't come without some sacrifice on our part of selfishness and greed; Jesus gave specifics on how to enter heaven; before Adam and Eve sinned, all people would have been with God ; thereafter, free choice as they utilized and the gift from God; you are not following God's laws by judgment or by bible beating; even Jesus didn't need to use those tactics ; anyone using the bible to persuade or dissuade someone are not following God's laws; the choice is ours free and clear , choose or not; follow or not; judgment is God's