Limited Atonement: Whom did Jesus Christ die for?

Friday Night Apologetics 7/20/2007

Calvinism Series Part 4 on Limited Atonement

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Welcome to another Friday Night Apologetics live Bible study. In this weeks discussion we are continuing from our last study on the topic of Limited Atonement. Whom did Jesus Christ die for? Did Jesus Christ die for everyone? Did Jesus Christ die for only a particular group of people to be saved? Who benefits from Jesus Christ sacrificial atonement on the cross and through His resurrection? Does Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross save all people, namely are all saved because Jesus died for all mankind? Is universalism true in regards to what Jesus Christ accomplished through His death on the cross and His resurrection? Is reformed theology (also called Calvinism) true in regards to what Jesus Christ accomplished through His death on the cross and His resurrection? Is Arminianism true in regards to what Jesus Christ accomplished through His death on the cross and His resurrection? These are some of the various questions we addressed in our study that deal with the doctrine of Limited Atonement within reformed theology, also known as Calvinism. If you have comments or questions you wish to share please contact us or you can share that at our blog. www.afcministry.blogspot.com

• Why discuss Limited Atonement?

The importance of this subject has application to the body of Christ and those whom we come in contact with. To make this as clear as possible those within reformed theology believe that only a certain or particular group of people is whom Jesus Christ died for on the cross to be saved. This may be new and surprising to some of you out there, but this is what is taught and believed within many churches today. In fact some of the more known or popular preachers are reformed in theology and some people don’t know it. Does that mean that people should not listen to these reformed preachers? Should they be rejected because they teach reformed theology or Calvinism? I am not saying that at all, just to let that be known. What I am saying is that people need to be aware of what reformed theologians teach, and then make up their own minds whether or not they want to listen to them. I still listen to some who are of the reformed theological position, but I have studied reformed theology myself and continue to do so---so that I can have a proper balance when listening to the and examining the Scriptures.

• What some Reformers have said concerning Limited Atonemet

Charles Spurgeon:

"We are often told that we limit the atonement of Christ, because we say that Christ has not made satisfaction for all men, or all men would be saved. Now, our reply to this is, that, on the other hand, our opponents limit it: we do not. The Arminians say, Christ died for all men. Ask them what they mean by it. Did Christ die so as to secure the salvation of all men. They say, "No, certainly not." We ask them the next question--Did Christ die so as to secure the salvation of any man in particular? They answer, "No." They are obliged to admit this, if they are consistent. They say, "No, Christ has died that any man may be saved if..." --and then follow certain conditions of salvation. Now, who is it that limits the death of Christ? Why, you. You say that Christ did not die so as to secure the salvation of anybody. We beg your pardon, when you say that we limits Christ's death; we say, "no my dear sir, it is you that do it." We say Christ so died that he infallibly secured the salvation of a multitude that no man can number, who through Christ's death not only may be saved, but are saved, must be saved and cannot by any possibility run the hazard of being anything but saved. You are welcome to your atonement; you may keep it. We will never renounce ours for the sake of it."
(from http://www.apuritansmind.com/TULIP/LimitedAtonement.htm)

John Piper:

The term "limited atonement" addresses the question, "For whom did Christ die?" But behind the question of the extent of the atonement lies the equally important question about the nature of the atonement. What did Christ actually achieve on the cross for those for whom he died? If you say that he died for every human being in the same way, then you have to define the nature of the atonement very differently than you would if you believed that Christ only died for those who actually believe. In the first case you would believe that the death of Christ did not actually save anybody; it only made all men savable. It did not actually remove God's punitive wrath from anyone, but instead created a place where people could come and find mercy -- IF they could accomplish their own new birth and bring themselves to faith without the irresistible grace of God.

For if Christ died for all men in the same way then he did not purchase regenerating grace for those who are saved. They must regenerate themselves and bring themselves to faith. Then and only then do they become partakers of the benefits of the cross.

In other words if you believe that Christ died for all men in the same way, then the benefits of the cross cannot include the mercy by which we are brought to faith, because then all men would be brought to faith, but they aren't. But if the mercy by which we are brought to faith (irresistible grace) is not part of what Christ purchased on the cross, then we are left to save ourselves from the bondage of sin, the hardness of heart, the blindness of corruption, and the wrath of God.

Therefore it becomes evident that it is not the Calvinist who limits the atonement. It is the Arminian, because he denies that the atoning death of Christ accomplishes what we most desperately need -- namely, salvation from the condition of deadness and hardness and blindness under the wrath of God. The Arminian limits the nature and value and effectiveness of the atonement so that he can say that it was accomplished even for those who die in unbelief and are condemned. In order to say that Christ died for all men in the same way, the Arminian must limit the atonement to a powerless opportunity for men to save themselves from their terrible plight of depravity.

On the other hand we do not limit the power and effectiveness of the atonement. We simply say that in the cross God had in view the actual redemption of his children. And we affirm that when Christ died for these, he did not just create the opportunity for them to save themselves, but really purchased for them all that was necessary to get them saved, including the grace of regeneration and the gift of faith.

Which of these statements is true?

1. Christ died for some of the sins of all men.

2. Christ died for all the sins of some men.

3. Christ died for all the sins of all men.

No one says that the first is true, for then all would be lost because of the sins that Christ did not die for. The only way to be saved from sin is for Christ to cover it with his blood.

The third statement is what the Arminians would say. Christ died for all the sins of all men. But then why are not all saved? They answer, Because some do not believe. But is this unbelief not one of the sins for which Christ died? If they say yes, then why is it not covered by the blood of Jesus and all unbelievers saved? If they say no (unbelief is not a sin that Christ has died for) then they must say that men can be saved without having all their sins atoned for by Jesus, or they must join us in affirming statement number two: Christ died for all the sins of some men. That is, he died for the unbelief of the elect so that God's punitive wrath is appeased toward them and his grace is free to draw them irresistibly out of darkness into his marvelous light. http://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/articles/piper/piper_atonement.html

These men are respected by many people today and it is not my purpose in anyway to disrespect them. The purpose for providing this information is to inform people accurately what reformers believe and teach on the doctrine of Limited Atonement. The apostle Paul wrote, “18 Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (2 Corinthians 5:18-21 NASB) Paul in his epistles and ministry had a passion for the lost, that the love of God was available for anyone to receive and be saved. Paul in his letter here writing to the Corinthian church gives a remarkable plea for the Corinthians to whom he was writing, “be reconciled to God”. You have heard the expression, “being in Macdonald’s does not make you a cheeseburger.” Some people think that going to a church makes them a Christian, but that is not true. A person is a Christian if they have come to accept Jesus Christ as the Lord and Savior, trusting in His death and resurrection for their salvation, and thereby becoming a follower of Jesus Christ and His teachings and what the Scriptures teach. Paul knew that as well from his various writings exhorting those to whom he wrote to make sure they come to know Jesus Christ personally and in truth.

Again, Paul here writes, “as though God were making an appeal through us”, thus showing the love of God for people to turn from their ways and to follow the ways of God, and be reconciled from their sins. Here is a major problem with Limited Atonement. In Paul’s writings and teachings Paul gives his whole life so that anyone could be saved. In fact Paul even says in his first letter to the Corinthians that he became all things to all people so that he might win some to Christ. (1 Corinthians 9:22) If Limited Atonement was true the life of Paul sure did not reflect this doctrine!

• As Moses lifted up the serpent so must the Son of Man be lifted up…Numbers 21:1-9 & John 3:14-18

One area of Scripture that seems so obvious to understand seems to be an area that needs to be addressed. In the gospel of John chapter 3 we find the written encounter of Nicodemus coming to Jesus as night, and through this encounter we have come to know the most famous Bible verse (most likely) of all known. For 100’s and 100’s of years the gospel message has proclaimed to people all over the world stating, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

Why has this verse become so difficult to understand? Why do people have such a hard time with this verse? Well the verse says that, “For God so loved the world”, which simply means that God loves the world, namely mankind or the human race. The problem from those who are reformed in theology is that this cannot mean the whole world or mankind because that would be universalism. Another problem they say is that if this means the whole human race and does not mean a particular people from whom God has specially chosen to be saved, then how do you explain people going to hell for whom Jesus Christ died? Or another way this can be said is, Did Jesus pay for the sins of the people who are in hell? If so did Jesus fail to save those whom He died for? These two issues are good points and they will be addressed.

By reading John 3:14-18 an observation becomes very apparent. Jesus has been speaking to Nicodemus in spiritual terms of being born again (John 3:1-8) and goes on to explain in very simple terms what true eternal life is (born again) and how a person can receive this for themselves. Jesus in verses 14-18 likens receiving eternal life with a familiar event from the Scriptures that Nicodemus would have been familiar with. (Numbers 21:1-9) Simply comparing John 3:14-18 with Numbers 21:1-9 clearly demonstrates that the message of the gospel is for anyone in general to be saved, to be born again, to receive eternal life, if they accept the message of what Jesus Christ taught. Consider what these Scriptures say…

“14 "As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; 15 so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life. 16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. 17 "For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. 18 "He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” (John 3:14-18 NASB)

“When the Canaanite, the king of Arad, who lived in the Negev, heard that Israel was coming by the way of Atharim, then he fought against Israel and took some of them captive. 2 So Israel made a vow to the LORD and said, "If You will indeed deliver this people into my hand, then I will utterly destroy their cities." 3 The LORD heard the voice of Israel and delivered up the Canaanites; then they utterly destroyed them and their cities. Thus the name of the place was called Hormah. 4 Then they set out from Mount Hor by the way of the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom; and the people became impatient because of the journey. 5 The people spoke against God and Moses, "Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we loathe this miserable food." 6 The LORD sent fiery serpents among the people and they bit the people, so that many people of Israel died. 7 So the people came to Moses and said, "We have sinned, because we have spoken against the LORD and you; intercede with the LORD, that He may remove the serpents from us." And Moses interceded for the people. 8 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a standard; and it shall come about, that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, he will live." 9 And Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on the standard; and it came about, that if a serpent bit any man, when he looked to the bronze serpent, he lived.” (Numbers 21:1-9 NASB)

To briefly address what has already been clearly stated these Scriptures show that Limited Atonement according to reformed theology cannot not be true Biblically. The reason is that Jesus makes a parallel of His message with that of Moses that demonstrates people have a choice to make and that is available for whoever will respond. What does Numbers 21:1-9 teach us about the love of God and what Jesus would have been saying to Nicodemus in John 3:14?

We see that God delivered His people from the Canaanites, (verses 1-3) and in a short time these same people turned against God and Moses (verses 4-5), and then in return God brings judgment upon them. (verse 6) However, when the judgment of God was coming upon the people those who were alive pleaded to Moses to intercede to God so that they would not die, and in return Moses showed them mercy by interceding for them. (verse 7) What is amazing is that God accepts the pleading of the people through Moses’ interceding, and in return God gives the people a way of deliverance. (verses 8) Though they did not deserve it the people there were given a choice to live if they did what was declared by God through Moses, namely to look to the bronze serpent which Moses made and lifted up. All those who looked to the bronze serpent lived, and all those who did not obviously did not live. The parallel here is so simple to understand it if one will let the Word of God speak. Jesus compares Himself with Moses in John 3:14-18 stating that whoever (anyone, humanity) believes (trusts in, follows, clings to, has faith in) truly in Him as being the One sent from the Father, to give His life (death, burial, and resurrection---1 Corinthians 15:1-4) for the world will be saved. This is the clear message of what Jesus was teaching Nicodemus, that Jesus came to give His life for the world (humanity) so that anyone could be saved.

• Additional insights concerning Numbers 21:1-9 and John 3

Moses was instructed to make a serpent (nahash, Heb.) of bronze (nehoshet, Heb.) and to place the image of the serpent on a pole. All who looked upon the image would be healed by faith. Similarly, God lifted up Jesus on the cross and calls all men to look to Him in faith that they may be healed (John 3:14, 15) (Believers Study Bible, Numbers 21:8-9)

The pain of the venomous bites drove the people to repent, and they begged Moses to intervene on their behalf. God instructed Moses to make an image of one of the serpents and to set it on a pole. Anyone who had been bitten and looked at the image lived. The raising of such a contemptible symbol on a pole ordinarily would have caused the people to shrink away in revulsion. But in this case the Israelites had to look at the serpent’s image in order to live. Jesus pointed to this stunning image in His dialogue with Nicodemus (see John 3:14, 15) as an analogy to His own execution. To the Jews, crucifixion was a sign of a curse. Therefore, just as the Israelites had to look on the repugnant, uplifted image of a serpent to be saved, we today have to look at the uplifted image of Jesus on a cross in order to be saved from our sins. (Nelson Study Bible, Numbers 21:7-9)

Remember there was two issues that were mentioned before that reformers have with John 3:14-18 stating Jesus died for anyone in general and not a limited group of people. The two issues again were 1.) Universalism 2.) Did Jesus pay the price for the sins of the people who go to hell? If so, does that mean Jesus failed to save them?

Point 1 - For those who believe in Universalism let me say that Scripture is very clear that this is not true in any sense. Now when reformers claim that those who believe in what is called “free will” or “that we have a choice” to accept or reject Jesus Christ for our salvation that this is simply Universalism, that is simply wrong! Just as Numbers 21:1-9 demonstrates that the people there had a choice to look to the bronze serpent which Moses had lifted up, and in like manner those who look to Jesus Christ lifted up (the cross for redemption) and trust in Him will be saved.

Point 2 - This second point is a bit silly but needs to be addressed as it is a common objection by reformers. Did Jesus fail to save those in hell? Did Jesus pay for the sins of the whole world, everyone, all mankind? The answer to this apparent dilemma is simply that Jesus as the perfect sacrifice and the one who gave His life so that whoever believes in Jesus Christ will have eternal life. In John 3:16-18 Jesus makes it very clear that those who believe in Him will receive eternal life and those who do not will perish because they did not believe in the name of the only begotten Son of God. To attempt to say Jesus failed because He did not save those He gave His life for is ridiculous and quite pathetic. Jesus came to give His life for mankind, so that whosoever would believe in Him, and all those who believe in Him will receive eternal life. Why do reformers change the meaning of the text?
 

• Day of Atonement benefits who? Leviticus 16:29-34 & 23:26-30...Did God fail if people rejected His deliverance?

“29 "This shall be a permanent statute for you: in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, you shall humble your souls and not do any work, whether the native, or the alien who sojourns among you; 30 for it is on this day that atonement shall be made for you to cleanse you; you will be clean from all your sins before the LORD. 31 "It is to be a sabbath of solemn rest for you, that you may humble your souls; it is a permanent statute. 32 "So the priest who is anointed and ordained to serve as priest in his father's place shall make atonement: he shall thus put on the linen garments, the holy garments, 33 and make atonement for the holy sanctuary, and he shall make atonement for the tent of meeting and for the altar. He shall also make atonement for the priests and for all the people of the assembly. 34 "Now you shall have this as a permanent statute, to make atonement for the sons of Israel for all their sins once every year." And just as the LORD had commanded Moses, so he did.”(Leviticus 16:29-34 NASB)

Important Points...
 

1. This was instructed to people of Israel to obey to have their sins cleansed
2. God made atonement for all of Israel but their was conditions
3. Not all of Israel was forgiven but only those who obeyed God's commands
4. God did not fail because people choose to disobey
    

16:29 In the seventh month: The Day of Atonement fell between mid-September and mid-October. afflict your souls: Examine yourselves, repent of wrong actions and attitudes, and seek God’s forgiveness. The mere actions of the sacrifices, without genuine repentance, were useless.

16:31 A sabbath of solemn rest was more sacred and more strictly observed than the normal weekly Sabbath.

16:32 In his father’s place emphasizes that this day was to be observed throughout Israel’s generations.

16:34 And he did as the Lord commanded Moses indicates that Aaron, as high priest, carried out everything God had commanded for this all-important day. (Nelson Study Bible, Leviticus 16)

“26 The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 27 "On exactly the tenth day of this seventh month is the day of atonement; it shall be a holy convocation for you, and you shall humble your souls and present an offering by fire to the LORD. 28 "You shall not do any work on this same day, for it is a day of atonement, to make atonement on your behalf before the LORD your God. 29 "If there is any person who will not humble himself on this same day, he shall be cut off from his people. 30 "As for any person who does any work on this same day, that person I will destroy from among his people” (Leviticus 23:26-30 NASB)

Important Points...

1. This is in harmony with Lev. 16:29-34
2. The people of Israel were again instructed on how to have their sins forgiven
3. The atonement was available for Israel but not all of Israel was forgiven
4. God did not fail because people choose to disobey
    

23:27 Day of Atonement: Literally, it is the “Day of Atonements”—that is, the day above all days, when complete atonement was made for all Israel.

23:28 do no work: On the Day of Atonement, the most important work of all was done by the high priest in the Most Holy Place. To do any lesser work would have been sacrilegious.

23:30 I will destroy: God Himself would see to it that the transgressor of this most holy day would be called to account. (Nelson Study Bible, Lev. 23)

The day of atonement was for the people of Israel directly, however God welcomed those who were Gentiles, aliens, foreigners, strangers, eunuchs, and called Israel to be a light to the nations. (Isaiah 42, Isaiah 49, Isaiah 56) Jesus Christ is the sacrificial atonement for mankind to receive or reject for the forgiveness of sins. (Luke 24:47, John 1:29, John 3:14-18, Acts 10:34-43, Romans 1:14-17, 2 Cor. 5:14-21, 1 John 1:6-2:2 & 1 John 5:10-12)

Some Additional Scriptures...

“Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.” (Hebrews 2:17)

“And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation” (Hebrews 5:9 NASB)

“11 But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things to come, He entered through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation; 12 and not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. 13 For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled sanctify for the cleansing of the flesh, 14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? 15 For this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that, since a death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. 16 For where a covenant is, there must of necessity be the death of the one who made it.” (Hebrews 9:11-16)

• The Passover & the blood of Christ...Exodus 12, 1 Cor. 5:7, 1 Peter 1:18-25

“1 Now the LORD said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, 2 "This month shall be the beginning of months for you; it is to be the first month of the year to you. 3 "Speak to all the congregation of Israel, saying, `On the tenth of this month they are each one to take a lamb for themselves, according to their fathers' households, a lamb for each household. 4 `Now if the household is too small for a lamb, then he and his neighbor nearest to his house are to take one according to the number of persons in them; according to what each man should eat, you are to divide the lamb. 5 `Your lamb shall be an unblemished male a year old; you may take it from the sheep or from the goats. 6 `You shall keep it until the fourteenth day of the same month, then the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel is to kill it at twilight. 7 `Moreover, they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and on the lintel of the houses in which they eat it… 11 `Now you shall eat it in this manner: with your loins girded, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and you shall eat it in haste--it is the LORD'S Passover. 12 `For I will go through the land of Egypt on that night, and will strike down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments--I am the LORD. 13 `The blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you live; and when I see the blood I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt. 14 `Now this day will be a memorial to you, and you shall celebrate it as a feast to the LORD; throughout your generations you are to celebrate it as a permanent ordinance… 21 Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel and said to them, "Go and take for yourselves lambs according to your families, and slay the Passover lamb. 22 "You shall take a bunch of hyssop and dip it in the blood which is in the basin, and apply some of the blood that is in the basin to the lintel and the two doorposts; and none of you shall go outside the door of his house until morning. 23 "For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when He sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the LORD will pass over the door and will not allow the destroyer to come in to your houses to smite you. 24 "And you shall observe this event as an ordinance for you and your children forever. 25 "When you enter the land which the LORD will give you, as He has promised, you shall observe this rite. 26 "And when your children say to you, `What does this rite mean to you?' 27 you shall say, `It is a Passover sacrifice to the LORD who passed over the houses of the sons of Israel in Egypt when He smote the Egyptians, but spared our homes.' " And the people bowed low and worshiped. 28 Then the sons of Israel went and did so; just as the LORD had commanded Moses and Aaron, so they did. 29 Now it came about at midnight that the LORD struck all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the captive who was in the dungeon, and all the firstborn of cattle.” (Exodus 12:1-7, 11-14, 21-29 NASB)

“Clean out the old leaven so that you may be a new lump, just as you are in fact unleavened. For Christ our Passover also has been sacrificed.” (1 Corinthians 5:7 NASB)

Important Points...

1. God was going to deliver the His people and bring judgment on Pharaoh & Egypt
    
2. God instructed His people on what they must do to be delivered from the judgment to come and when this would happen
    
3. God's instructions included action and for them to obey
4. If God's people did not obey they would of been judged in the same way

The obvious connection is that Jesus is the world's passover lamb, and anyone who truly puts their trust in Him for salvation (who have come to know Him) will be saved, forgiven, have eternal life, and they will not be judged. Just like Passover God gave the people the provision for deliverance and God today calls to the world to repent and be saved. (John 3:16-18, Acts 17:30, 2 Peter 3:9)

12:13 The Passover, the oldest feast still celebrated today, unfolds one of the most striking and glorious foreshadowings for the atonement of Christ on the cross found anywhere in the O.T. In fact, Christ fulfilled beautifully and perfectly each detail of the feast. “Passover” is from a Hebrew verb meaning “to pass over” or “to spare.” The Lord’s Passover provided the shelter and protection of the Almighty (cf. Luke 13:34). The directions for observing the newly instituted festival are given (vv. 3–13), as well as the divine admonition to continue its celebration year after year (vv. 14–20). The lamb without blemish was central to the feast; it belonged to Yahweh and was a sign indicating divine protection and preservation from death. The “blood” of the lamb was a “sign” to God for the people, indicating that God would “pass over” the house covered by the “blood.” Christ Himself became the believer’s “Passover” when He laid down His sinless life and shed His innocent blood in order to cover and thus make atonement for man’s sins (Acts 20:28; Eph. 1:7; Heb. 9:22; 1 Pet. 2:24; Rev. 5:9, 10). W.A. Criswell, Believer’s study Bible [computer file], electronic ed. , Logos Library System, (Nashville: Thomas Nelson) 1997, c1991 by the Criswell Center for Biblical Studies. (Believers Study Bible, Exodus 12)

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Kelly Powers
Anti False Doctrine Superhero
 

“18 knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, 19 but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ. 20 For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appeared in these last times for the sake of you 21 who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. 22 Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart, 23 for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God. 24 For, "ALL FLESH IS LIKE GRASS, AND ALL ITS GLORY LIKE THE FLOWER OF GRASS. THE GRASS WITHERS, AND THE FLOWER FALLS OFF, 25 BUT THE WORD OF THE LORD ENDURES FOREVER."
And this is the word which was preached to you.”
(1 Peter 1:18-25 NASB)