Have you ever heard the statement, “Jesus Christ died on the cross to save us from our sins?”
Did you ever ask, “What danger was there to sin that one needed to be saved from it?”
The Bible says, “For the wages of sin is death… (Romans 6:23).” The danger of sin is in its consequence—eternal spiritual death, eternal separation from God and eternal torment in hell.
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).” This means everyone is subject to the consequence of sin. Eternal spiritual death, eternal separation from God and eternal torment in hell await everyone.
Unless sin is removed or its wages are paid, we will have to face its consequence. We will have to die a spiritual death for our sins.
On the cross, however, Jesus cried out, “It is finished (John 19:30).” Literally His words meant, “It is paid in full.” What was paid in full? Our sins—past, present and future. Yes, even the sins we are still going to commit have been forgiven all because of his blood.
“…without the shedding of blood, there can be no forgiveness (Hebrews 9:22b).”
Is this true for all? Is the forgiveness, the paying of the wages of sin true for all? Yes.
“For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit… (1Peter 3:18).”
Because of His death on the cross, we are no longer required to die for our sins. Jesus took our place. And because He rose from the dead, we have the assurance of eternal life in the presence of God.
“…because I live, you will live also (John 14:19).”
The stage is set; sins forgiven, eternal life freely given; what is there left to do? Technically, God finished the work. He would not rely on us or on our good works because before the holy God, all “righteous acts” from sinful humanity, “are like filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6).”
It is all by grace. We do not understand why He chose not to give what we deserved—punishment from sins—and to give what we do not deserve—eternal life. What is clear, however, is that everything He did was consistent with His nature. God is the God of love and of Justice.
It is this same grace that removes the veil over our hearts, allowing us to understand God’s truths (2 Cor. 3:14-16). And this grace gives us faith to respond to Christ’s call. We now believe that Jesus is the only way to salvation and we entrust to him our very lives as personal Lord and Savior.
It is also inevitable that as we turn towards God, we turn our backs to sin in confession and repentance. They are two sides of the same coin.
Salvation is not an end in itself. It is actually the beginning of a full life of service and good deeds for the glory of God. Where self once ruled, God is now reigning in all His glory, power and honor.
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:6-10).”
If you are convicted by this message, grace is now at work. You can respond in prayer; ask God to cleanse you from your sins and invite Him into your heart. Trust that He will count you worthy because of grace and faith alone.
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:6-10).”
If you are convicted by this message, grace is now at work. You can respond in prayer; ask God to cleanse you from your sins and invite Him into your heart. Trust that He will count you worthy because of grace and faith alone.
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