Limited Atonement is the most controversial of the five points of Calvinism. It holds that Christ's death was definite in its intent and effect — He died specifically to save the elect, and His death actually accomplished their salvation. The doctrine is sometimes misrepresented as saying the value of Christ's death was limited. It is not. The value of Christ's atonement is infinite; if every person who ever lived were elect, the same blood would suffice. What is limited is the intention of the atonement. The alternative (Arminian) view teaches that Christ died to make salvation possible for all, and the decisive factor is each sinner's free will to accept or reject. Under that view, Christ's death could fail: if no one believed, no one would be saved, even though Christ had died for them. The Reformed view says Christ's death cannot fail. It actually secures the salvation of those for whom He died. Consider the consistency: if Christ died for every single person without exception, and some still go to hell, then He died in vain for them. But Scripture nowhere says Christ's death is in vain for anyone. It says the opposite: "He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied" (Isaiah 53:11) — He will be satisfied in His work. "I lay down My life for the sheep" (John 10:15) — not for goats. "Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her" (Ephesians 5:25) — for His bride. Limited Atonement does not limit the free offer of the gospel. We preach to every person without distinction: "Whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). The offer is universal; the effectual application is particular. This mystery sits in the nature of God's decree, and the Christian rests in it: no one for whom Christ died will be lost; no one for whom He did not die will be saved; and both are for the glory of God and the good of His people.