NECESSITY OF THE
CROSS
In the book of Romans Paul shows the necessity
of the cross. He establishes the
following truths: (1) the gospel is
God's power unto salvation (Romans
"But God demonstrates His own love
toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more
then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath
through Him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the
death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His
life. And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus
Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation." Romans 5:8-11 is a profound section of
scripture dealing with the cross. It
shows that the cross is the:
Manifestation of God’s Love: That
God demonstrated His love for man is best seen as Jesus dies as a sacrifice for
sin. (Hebrews 2:9) Jesus' substituting
death for our sins is the greatest fact of history. Nothing shows God's love,
good will or benevolence for mankind more than the cross.
Means of Justification: Paul
powerfully states that we are justified by Christ's blood. (Romans 5:9) The only ground for man's justification is
Jesus' death. "Therefore let it be
known to you, brethren, that through this Man is
preached to you the forgiveness of sins." (Acts
Motivation for reconciliation: Reconciliation
to God is through the death of Jesus. (Romans 5:10) Sin separates man from God. (Isaiah 59:1-2) Man is returned to God's favor through the
cross of Christ. Because of the cross
Christians can cry out to a lost world, "be reconciled to God." (2
Corinthians 5:20)
Repentance and baptism are man's response
to God's offer of salvation by the blood of Christ. (Acts 2:36-38) Do you see God's love at the cross? Do you recognize the cross as the only means
of justification? Have you been motivated by the cross to be reconciled to
God? If the cross will not move you,
nothing will!
By Charles Box,