Not One Drop Wasted - John 10:14-15

I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. - John 10:14-15

    There have been many a disagreement over the years regarding the Biblical doctrine of Limited or Definite Atonement. And in no way am I suggesting that I can finally put the objections to this doctrine to rest. However, it is my earnest belief that Holy Scripture does, in fact, do so. “I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours.” - John 17:9. Did Jesus Christ Himself just say that He does not pray for the world but for those His Father had given Him?
    First, Scripture is replete with references to the “many” Jesus speaks about and it never refers to “all” as in every last human being that ever lived! In common parlance it is often heard, “See to it that everyone gets something to eat.” Did the speaker actually mean “everyone?” Or were they merely referring to those within a defined parameter of consideration? The glaringly obvious intent of the statement needs no further clarification.
    Secondly. When we speak about “the power of the cross,” or “the power of Christ’s precious blood,” we are speaking of the power to atone for sin. “For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” - Matthew 26:28. Again, Jesus emphatically states that He shed His own blood “for many . . . for the remission of sins.” He never states that His blood was shed for all the people in the world, but for many!
    What we see then is not an inference or subtle implication but the boldly efficacious power of Christ’s death on the cross to save sinners; not all sinners but those God “elected” from before time who are called by the Holy Spirit’s effective call to regeneration and faith in Christ Jesus. And clearly, not all who hear the call of the gospel respond in faith. “For many are called, but few are chosen.” - Matthew 22:14. From this alone, we can see that those who remain unregenerate and unresponsive to the Holy Spirit’s call remain in their hardened state in spite of Christ’s death upon the cross. To suggest that Christ died for all sinners, all people, flies in the very face of every Biblical word on the value of Christ’s blood! To deny the reality of hell is to deny the doctrine of atonement.
     If Jesus’ death was to atone for all mankind’s sin what happens to those who die unrepentant in their sin? Salvation? No, not one drop of Christ’s precious blood was wasted. The atonement was 100% effective for all those who come to belief and faith in Jesus. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” - John 3:16. For those who refuse, despite all the Biblical mandates, to have faith in Jesus Christ, the harsh reality of eternity in hell awaits them.
    Let us continue to share the gospel of salvation with those around us so that those chosen will respond to the effectual call of the Holy Spirit and the saving sacrifice of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.