Dictionary Word of the Day: Efficacious
Thursday, September 17, 2009 at 06:55AM efficacious
\ef-ih-KAY-shuhs\ , adjective:
1.
Capable of having the desired result or effect; effective as a means, measure, remedy, etc.
This is one of my favorite theological terms. It immediately brought to mind the chapter on the efficacy of Christ's atonement in Pink's The Satisfaction of Christ: Studies in the Atonement.
No lengthy argument is needed to establish the fact that the glory of God requires the mediatorial work of Christ should be completely efficacious, i.e., that it should infallibly accomplish all it was designed to effect. If there were any failure in the fruits or results of the Atonement, then the purpose of God would be foiled, His covenant broken, His veracity forfeited, His power defeated, His justice sullied, and His glory dishonored. Few seem to realize the fearful implications which necessarily follow the principles they hold and advocate. To predicate an Atonement which fails to atone, a Redemption which does not redeem, a Sacrifice which secures not the actual remission of sins, is a horrible reflection upon all the attributes of God. To make the efficacy or success of the greatest of all God’s works dependent upon the choice of fallen and depraved creatures, is to magnify man at the cost of dethroning his Maker.
The manifestative glory of God is bound up in the person and work of Christ. Our Lord Jesus revealed this plainly when, facing the crucial hour, He cried, "Father glorify thy name" (John 12:28). Again He declared, "Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him" (John 13:31). Compare also John 14:13. If Christ be dishonored, God is dishonored. But if Christ be glorified by the Father’s acceptance of His work and by the Spirit’s infallible application thereof, so that every effect is produced which it was intended to bring forth, then is God supremely glorified. Therefore we boldly declare that, before there can be the slightest failure in the Divine design of the Atonement, God must cease to have any respect for His own honor. But that can never be. A. W. Pink
Reader Comments (4)
Ah yes, an excellent word. I was listening to S. Lewis Johnson yesterday, and he talked about that word.
Love the word and the illustration. Great post, Kim. Thanks!
I like this word, too - efficacious! (Of course, my experience with it is not limited to the theological.... There is an Irish drinking song with that word in it, too! - I think it's Lily the Pink, by the Irish Rovers, but I'm not sure....) :)
My granddaughter loves Lily the Pink by the Irish Rovers (it follows The Unicorn Song on my CD). In fact, we were just listening to it the other night, so of course when I saw your word of the day, I had to think..."She invented medicinal compound. Most efficacious in every case." Sorry. That's my silly side. It really is a wonderful word!