Jesus died because our sin is a real offense against the holy God, and God chose to save us through the self-giving sacrifice of his Son.
Forgiveness does not mean that evil is unimportant or that God simply overlooks it. Sin brings guilt and judgment. At the cross, Jesus willingly bore our sins and endured the judgment we deserved, giving his life on our behalf. His death provides the righteous basis for our forgiveness and reconciliation with God.
We should not picture a loving Jesus persuading a reluctant Father to forgive us. The Father sent the Son in love, and the Son freely gave himself for us. The cross expresses God’s own saving love and justice together.
Scripture describes Christ’s death through several complementary pictures: sacrifice for sin, redemption from bondage, reconciliation with God, and victory over the powers of evil. At the heart of these descriptions is Jesus giving himself for us to accomplish what we could not accomplish for ourselves.
His resurrection confirms that death did not defeat him. The Savior who died for us now lives, and we can entrust ourselves to him.
Forgiveness is therefore a costly and glorious gift. We do not earn it through punishment, religious performance, or an effort to balance our wrongs with good deeds. We receive it through faith in the crucified and risen Christ.
Read in the Bible
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