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The Magnitude of Grace: Grasping the Extent of God’s Offer of Redemption

Alfred Persson

Catholic Orthodox Free Will Reformed Baptist
2024 Supporter
The Magnitude of Grace: Grasping the Extent of God’s Offer of Redemption:

16 “For God so loved the world (2889 κόσμος kosmos) that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
17 “For God did not send His Son into the world (2889 κόσμος kosmos) to condemn the world (2889 κόσμος kosmos) , but that the world (2889 κόσμος kosmos) through Him might be saved.
18 “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (John 3:16-18 NKJ)
John 3:16-18 delivers a powerful message of love and redemption: ‘For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.’

In these verses, the Greek term κόσμος (kosmos) appears four times, representing ‘the world.’ This context highlights a strong contrast between the heavenly origin of God’s Son and the kosmos of humanity, which He was sent to redeem.

The term κόσμος signifies the entirety of creation, including every person born into it. By extension, God’s love reaches out to every corner of the kosmos, offering salvation to all who believe in Him. This vast scope implies that God’s redemptive love is not limited by time, place, or circumstance. Therefore, the kosmos could not possibly exclude those born before Christ or those who did not hear the Gospel of Christ after the 1st century.

God sent His Son to save the entire kosmos (Jn. 1:9, 29; 4:42; Rm. 5:10; 8:32; 2 Cor. 5:19) encompassing all of humanity whether living or dead (Jn. 5:24-25, 28-29; Heb. 9:27-28; 1 Pt. 4:6). This universal aspect of God’s plan is clearly taught in the following Scriptures (Col. 1:20; Heb. 9:24-26; 1 Jn. 2:2; 4:9-10; 8:32).
 
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