Readers.......there are some that claim salvation is a free gift and that it was this free gift of salvation that Jesus gave to ALL of mankind. This doctrine is completely false. Let's examine this claim to find if it lines up with scripture. But in order to do that we must also take into consideration other doctrines that too are false.
First...let's consider this false doctrine; Your salvation cannot be taken away. Well......if Jesus came to give the free gift of salvation to ALL of mankind, AND salvation cannot be taken away, that would mean that ALL of mankind will be saved!
But does this line up with scripture? Will ALL of mankind be spared dying the second death, which is the lake of fire? Absolutely not! Everyone is NOT going to be saved. Now let's read what the true free gift was that Jesus gave.
Rom.5
[16] And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification.
[17] For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)
[18] Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.
[19] For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
Paul tells us that it was the free gift of Jesus Christ that came upon ALL men unto justification.
So YES! Christ did give ALL of mankind a free gift.....but was that free gift salvation? No! Let's back up a bit to find just what it was that justified ALL men, in other words, cleared men of their sins.
Rom.5
[8] But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
[9] Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
[10] For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
The free gift that Jesus gave that cleared ALL of mankind of their sins was His BLOOD! That was the free gift that He gave.....NOT salvation. Let's confirm;
Rom.3
[24] Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
[25] Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
So....what was the grace that cleared ALL of mankind of their sins? The BLOOD of Jesus. Let's confirm again;
Heb.9
[22] And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.
Again....what was the grace that allowed the remission of sin to all of mankind? The BLOOD of Jesus! Let's confirm this once more;
Heb.10
[4] For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.
[5] Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:
[6] In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure.
[7] Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.
[8] Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law;
[9] Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.
[10] By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
Paul tells us that it was impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away the sins of man. He even tells us that God had no pleasure in killing innocent animals. But because God had a law that REQUIRED blood to remove sins He allowed it.
Notice what Paul writes, "Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law;"
Now what law set the guidelines for animal sacrifice? Was it do not, kill, steal, covet or lie? No! It was the laws that were given to the Levitical Priest and their works/deeds of killing animals for the remission of sins.
But once Jesus came and shed His blood, that one sacrifice would be good for ALL of mankind. The shedding of Jesus blood ended the Levitical Priesthood. The shedding of Christ blood took away the law of animal sacrifice and established the law of faith.
Readers....it is clear that the free gift that Jesus gave to ALL of mankind was NOT salvation....it was the shedding of His BLOOD that removed the sins of the world.
Like I asked in the beginning of this post.....IF it was salvation that was given as the free gift......and IF salvation cannot be taken away, that would mean that ALL will be saved!
But as we know......ALL of mankind will NOT be saved! Some will die the second death, which is the lake of fire!
The shedding of Jesus BLOOD made it possible for ALL to be saved....if they receive God's words, have faith in God's words and OBEY God's words;
"And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;".
