Learning to Thank Christ for His Purposeful Atonement

With all the time we spend debating and diatribing over the doctrines of grace, we end up having very little time left to reflect on the benefits of the doctrines of grace.  This weakens us by leading us away from worshipping Christ for accomplishing our redemption.  So in light of Jesus' declaration of His very purposeful atonement for His people.  Lets take a moment to consider the benefits:

1st- Sure confidence is ours because Christ has not merely enabled our salvation; He has secured it! 

Put all the right caveats here- yes, life is still challenging as a Christian.  Yes, sanctification is still a difficult process in our lives that will require perseverance, etc.  But in the end, Christ has not merely given us a chance, He has secured our destiny.  Its the difference between being given a good education and job contacts vs. being adopted into the family of a billionaire who provides all that you need including nurturing you into using your gifts and talents to your fullest potential.

2nd- It keeps us from falling into the trap of universalism. 

 Christ's atonement is either limited or unlimited- no other option.  If it is unlimited, then has not Christ already paid for everyone's sins and so everyone should be saved (i.e. universalism)?  Now, brothers and sisters in Christ who don't believe in purposeful atonement have also historically rejected the idea of universalism.   But they are now in a difficult position of explaining either A. How God does not exact payment for sin twice in those eternally condemned (once in Christ and once in the sinner themselves), or B. How faith doesn't become a necessary and meritorious act that secures salvation.  Ultimately, such thinking just doesn't seem to fit with Jesus' declaration that, "...but you do not believe because you are not part of my flock.  My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me." (John 10:26-27)

3rd- It leads to humble thankfulness to Christ. 

We really have contributed nothing.  He didn't merely make our salvation possible; He made it impossible not to occur at God's pre-ordained time in our lives!  Understanding the Biblical teaching on this doctrine helps us see that faith is not a necessary condition for divine justice to be satisfied (Christ's atonement + our faith = salvation).  Rather, our faith is a necessary condition for appropriating the benefits of Christ (Christ's atonement = salvation appropriated/experience by the God-given means of faith).  This should undo us.  It should lead to a profound sense of helplessness before the bar of God's justice.  But it should also lead to a heart-warming and life-transforming thankfulness that God has been merciful to me, the Sinner!