I received a phone call a few days ago from a man who identified himself as a missionary in need of supporting churches. "We believe and preach the gospel of God's free and sovereign grace," I told him and "we proclaim the victory of our Lord's substitutionary death which secured the salvation of His people." His response was, "I preach that Jesus died for all mankind so as to give everybody a chance to be saved." I then told him that Christ Jesus died as the Substitute for His people, for His sheep, His elect in order to redeem us from the curse of God's righteous law that held us ransom. I further told him that the Scriptures teach that none for whom Christ tasted death shall ever perish in their sins, for the dear Savior has already canceled their debt of sin. "You believe what I do not believe," was his reply. And with that, he hung up the phone. Here is the very heart of the gospel, the substitutionary, law-satisfying sacrifice of Christ. This is the only message that truly exalts and magnifies the holy and just character of God. If you believe Christ's death was an effort which may or may not be successful, depending upon the will of sinners, then you have no knowledge of the true gospel.