We notice that there is much confusion nowadays about the role of Christ’s sacrifice. Some believe that it is enough to simply believe in the sacrifice on the cross, where salvation is simply based on what Lord Jesus did on the cross as Savior.

Others rely on their own deeds, coming to disregard the work of the cross.

In the first case, man considers that for his salvation, he can do nothing but rely on the work of the cross, not giving any importance to the Word of Christ and the work of sanctification through the Spirit. In other words, the teachings of Lord Jesus and the work of the Spirit are not necessary for the salvation of the soul.

This way the Lord’s teaching becomes a secondary, optional choice. In this scenario, discipline is also optional, and it is not part of the salvation process.

In the second case, the focus is on acts/deeds, neglecting the part of the cross and the work of the Spirit. (…they sought to put forth a righteousness of their own and did not submit themselves to the righteousness of God. Romans 10:3)

In order not to be in either of these extremes, it is very important to know the role of the sacrifice on the cross! We should know what place the cross has in the plan of salvation.

We believe that it is very clear to everyone that the sinful man could not, by his own good acts, pay the price of redemption. (Ephesians 2:9)

Someone without sin had to die for this, and that was Lord Jesus Christ. (… holy, innocent, faultless, separated from sinners. Hebrews 7:26)

The Scripture tells us that in order to be delivered from under the governance of the Devil, to be cleansed from sin, to reconcile with God, to be redeemed, and to be able to conclude the New Covenant and be relocated to His Kingdom, the Son of God accepted to die on the cross. (…and to give His life as ransom for many. Matthew 20:28)

The work on the cross is God’s gift to anyone entering into covenant with the Lord, who repents of his evil deeds, renounces his own will and trusts in Him. The sacrifice on the cross makes the forgiveness of sins and redemption possible. (He… moved us into the Kingdom of the Son of his love, in which we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:13)

The cross makes it possible for us to be put in a new state, in which He can work with us through the Holy Spirit towards our restoration. (…the sanctification of the Spirit. 1 Peter 1:2; Transformed in the same image of Him through the Spirit of the Lord. 2 Corinthians 3:18) The cross makes the beginning of discipleship possible; it is the entrance into His school.

While being processed according to His image, the unintentionally committed sins are cleansed through Christ’s blood. (But if we walk in the light… we have fellowship with one another; and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanses us… 1 John 1:7)

However, the cross will be of no use to us if we knowingly sin on this new path. (If we willfully sin after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more a sacrifice for sins. How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood… and has insulted the Spirit of grace? Hebrews 10:26-29)