dfwarneke

This question begs the further analysis of Jesus Christ's own words. When asked "Lord, will there be few saved? He answered "Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able." (Luke 13:24) He goes on to explain with a parable (of sorts) "When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are" . This implies that there will be many who believe that they are saved, and without having the very living Jesus Christ in their heart, living through them, that they will not be saved. This idea is more fully explained in Colossians 3 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. 5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: 6 For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: 7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. 8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. 9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; 10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: 11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. 12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. 18 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. 20 Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. 21 Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged. 22 Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God; 23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; 24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. 25 But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons. For in ourselves, we are incapable of upholding the Law, but with Jesus Christ living in and through us, we are the New Man, we are clothed in Jesus, the spotless robe.

Re: Mediator & Ransom - Jesus said 6 “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6). This both clarifies and supports His role as mediator between believers and the Father. As such, it is an important distinction that while He was sinless and blameless, that He was man incarnate. He was tempted by all things as we are - not specific sins per se - but even sins of self-righteousness, works-righteousness, pride etc. He has a unique position to speak to the Father and plead on our behalf, for He knows our plight, He knows our hearts, in which there is no good thing. I also believe that a distinction must be made when speaking of ransom (substitution). I cannot help but think on His prayer in the garden of Gethsemene, in knowing and seeing God's plan in full, in knowing the cost, and still being able to follow through. For no matter the physical pain and torment He would endure, it was nothing compared to the one thing that He cried out about. In bearing "the pains of hell" which in it's essense is eternal separation from God's spirit (which is so aptly described in Like 16:24 "So he called to him, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire." The fire spoken of here is the fire of God's righteous judgement, and hell being that fire forever without even a drop of mercy. So then, when Christ called out "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?' -- which means, 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46) - He was calling out, in those moments that He was separated from God's holy spirit. It is not the physical suffering that saves us, but His actual substitution (ransom) in taking our literal places in hell. This begs the distinction that He did not know the whole plan. Why else would He sweat blood? Because in that moment in the Garden, and on the cross, the Father was requiring perfect faith and obedience. I don't think that Jesus Christ knew the whole of what was to happen prior to His prayer in the Garden. And I don't believe it was the physical torments that He was afraid of - the very real torment was His separation - therefore his role as Lamb of God, and Ransom Paid.