There Is a Substitute

    The GOOD NEWS of the gospel is that there is a substitute who has stood in the place of every repentant sinner and bore the wrath of God in his place. He did this for all whom the Father had given Him from all eternity. It is for them that He prays in John 17. They are “His Sheep.” The Father gave them to Him; and He died for them (John 10:15, 29). Substitution is at the very heart of the gospel. Christ did not simply give His life to make salvation possible for those who contribute their part to what He has done by repenting and trusting Christ. He it is that gives repentance and faith (2 Timothy 2:25; Ephesians 2:8). Christ did not say to the religious Jews of His day that they were not of His “sheep” because they did not believe; rather, He says, “Ye believe not because you are not of My sheep” (John 10:26). If they had been His sheep, they would have believed. The GOOD NEWS is that all whom the Father has given to the Son, for whom He died, will believe and manifest true repentance and faith. This they will do willingly and with gratitude in their hearts. It is God’s work. He cannot fail.