Was the Cross Really Necessary?

Men, over 2,000 years ago Jesus Christ died on a Roman cross, then rose from the dead the third day. Scripture declares that He did this to provide salvation for a wicked humanity on their way to an eternity without God in hell. But was it necessary? Did Jesus have to die? Why couldn’t God just overlook man’s sins? 

We discover the answer to that question as we examine three basic truth statements about the character of God: 1) God is holy 2) God is just 3) God is love. 

First, God is holy. Habakkuk 1:13a says, “But you are pure and cannot stand the sight of evil…” (NLT). There is absolutely nothing in God that desires evil. He hates wickedness! Therefore, when Adam rebelled against God in the Garden of Eden, he forfeited the privilege of living in God’s presence. And because we all have sinned, we have forfeited the same. 

Secondly, God is just. Romans 6:23a says, “For the wages of sin is death…” Death, physical and spiritual, is what we have earned for our sin, our rebellion against God. Ezekiel 18:20 says, “The soul that sins will die…” Like an earthly judge who sits in a human court of law must punish lawbreakers, so God cannot wink at our sin. “The soul that sins [must] die.” Since this is true, you and I are in great danger! 

Finally, God is love. John 3:16 says, For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.” You see, my friend, God designed a way for sin to be paid for so that God’s justice would be served, and yet, the sinner could be legally forgiven. God sacrificed His sinless Son, Jesus Christ, so that if we turn from our sin and believe in Him, we will be forgiven and live with Him forever! That is why Jesus had to die. 

Will you forsake your sin and believe in Jesus Christ as your personal Savior? If you will, tell Him in a simple prayer like this – “Lord Jesus, thank you for paying for my sins, I turn away from my sins and receive you now as my Lord and Savior. Amen” 

If you made this decision, contact me, and tell me at mdwhitney61@gmail.com.