How Do YOU Interprete" God was in Christ reconciling World to Himself"

This verse teaches that God has elect people all over the world.

He has reconciled them In Christ. The gospel goes world wide to reach these elect persons who are scattered...

How do we know it is speaking of elect sheep?

Simple because the ungodly at the white throne judgement are cast into hell showing that they were never reconciled to God.

Jesus will say....depart from me...I NEVER KNEW YOU.

 

First, we have to define "world." It seems obvious that it cannot mean every person without exception. II Cor 5:19 refers to a group called "the world." This same "world" is the number of people to whom God will not impute their sins. These are the same people to whom God was in Christ reconciling himself.

If "world" is everybody, then God is not imputing anybody's trespasses to them, and everybody is saved.

So, "world" is not everybody, and God is not imputing trespasses to those with whom he is reconciled in Christ Jesus.

So our ministry of reconciliation is to join with Paul in beseeching all who will listen, on Christ's behalf, to be reconciled to God.

 

2 Peter 2:1 teaches, " But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, and will bring swift destruction on themselves."

Romans 5:18: So then, as through one trespass there is condemnation for everyone, so also through one righteous act there is life-giving justification for everyone.

The atonement of Christ is universal (meant to be genuinely offered to all men through the gospel appeal) but provisional (with a provision by which the recipient must repent and believe in order to receive its benefit).

The example of the snake lifted on the pole is a perfect example. It was provide for all Israel, but only was effective if the person looked to the snake for healing.

 

This verse is not saying that these false prophets were purchased with the blood of Christ.

Master = δεσποτην ("despot" or sovereign ruler)
bought = αγορασαντα ("bought" as from a slave market)


The context is that of analogy to Jews of old who were denying the sovereign God (Father) who bought them out of Egypt.

Exo 15:16 Fear and dread shall fall upon them; by the greatness of thine arm they shall be as still as a stone; till thy people pass over, O LORD, till the people pass over, which thou hast purchased.

Deu 32:6 Do ye thus requite the LORD, O foolish people and unwise? is not he thy father that hath bought thee? hath he not made thee, and established thee?