If Christ reconciles all things, why doesn’t everyone believe? (Colossians 1:20)
Colossians 1:20 New International Version (NIV) 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
Colossians 1:20
ESV - 20 And through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
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Asked May 12 2019
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Jack Gutknecht
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Tim Maas
I would say that Christ's atoning death and resurrection were (and are) sufficient for the salvation of every human who has ever lived (or who will ever live) from eternity past to eternity future. However, God will not force that salvation on anyone. Human beings still have a free will that can choose to accept it (at any time up to their last earthly breath) or reject it. Christ reconciled all things in the sense of making it possible for any sinful human being to be acceptable in God's sight. But each human must personally appropriate that salvation through repentance and faith in order for it to be effectual. And, as noted in John's gospel, people do not do so because, as unrepentant sinners, they love darkness more than the light (John 3:19).
Jack Gutknecht
When Paul speaks of being “in Christ” (i.e., being saved), (Col 1:2: “To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse..."), he does not include “those under the earth” (i.e., the lost). -- He just says here in Colossians 1:20: "And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven." However, all persons, saved and unsaved, will one day bow before Christ and acknowledge His universal lordship. But nowhere do the Scriptures teach that all people will be saved. Jesus will say to many, “Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matt. 25:41). Some stubbornly refuse to believe in Christ and are not "in Christ." “Alll whose names are not written in the Book of Life, (they will be cast into the lake of fire forever (Rev. 20:10-15).) Dr. Luke says that those who have rejected God will be living in torment (Luke 16:19-31). Paul speaks elsewhere of punishment on the wicked as “everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord." NG & TH
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