Why Is the Cross So Important?

Our sin separates us from God. “Your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God.” Isaiah 59:2. Other religions offer no solution to our sin-caused separation from God. But the death of Jesus on the cross provides the solution.

Other religions suggest that improving personal behavior is the path to salvation ... in hopes that if we are good enough, God will overlook our record of sins. We can improve our moral and ethical behavior ... but that doesn’t change our record. Imagine a serial murderer asking to be pardoned because he’s been killing fewer and fewer people each year. Such a defense wouldn’t work in a courtroom ... and it won’t work with God. The penalty for our sins must be paid. Justice must be met. Improving our behavior isn’t enough ... that only makes our record get worse more slowly.

You may not have committed any "big" sins. But four sins a day for 15 years adds up to almost 22,000 sins. Six sins a day for 10 years adds up to the same number. We are far from perfect. God requires payment for our record of sins. We can pay with our own spiritual death ... by eternal separation from God. Or we can take God’s better way. “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23.

Why is the cross important to you? It is important because it’s the place where Jesus paid for your sins. The gift of eternal life is free to you ... but Jesus paid for it with His death on the cross. However, that gift isn’t yours unless you do one thing.

Walter