spiritual struggles

Question and Answer

How could Jesus Christ die for everyone's sins? Isn't every person responsible for his own sins?

Many religions and cults admit the problem of sin, but their answer is to seek salvation from sin through good works or by keeping rules and laws. The Christian's Bible teaches that Jesus Christ redeemed us from sin by dying on the cross. Nowhere is this more clearly stated than by the apostle Paul: "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus" (Rom. 3:23, 24).

Justification by faith is the doctrinal pillar of biblical Christianity. When we place our faith and trust in the fact that Christ died to pay the penalty for our sins, we are justified, meaning that God's justice has been satisfied through the substitutionary death of His Son Jesus Christ, and we have been brought into a correct relationship with God. When Paul spoke of the redemption that came by Christ Jesus, he was saying that Christ paid the penalty for our sin by removing our guilt.

To illustrate, suppose you have to go to court for speeding, but you do not end up paying the fine. You learn that it has been paid by someone else — possibly good old Dad or rich Uncle Charley. Getting your fine paid by someone else partially illustrates justification, but God goes one important step further. While your traffic ticket is taken care of, it doesn't alter the fact that you are guilty. But when you, as a sinner, turn to God through Christ, amazingly (and inexplicably), your guilt is wiped out as well. Paul went on to say, "God presented Him [Christ] as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood" (Rom. 3:25). When the Bible speaks of atonement, God's justice and His love are both involved. When Jesus Christ — God incarnate — died on the cross, He rendered satisfaction to God's holy standard and paid the penalty for the sin of all mankind (see John 3:16, 17).

How can Scripture say that Christ's single death is adequate payment for the sins of the entire world? It is adequate because Christ is God. No one less than God could make payment for the sins of everyone. God is the one who set the holy standard. Who could fulfill its requirements but God Himself?

The Bible also teaches that we can do nothing to earn our justification. The Christian is saved by grace — God's unmerited favor, mercy and love. "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast" (Eph. 2:8,9).

Many people, however, have difficulty accepting the concept that they cannot earn God's favor. Deep down, they believe they can earn salvation by being "good enough." Also at work is the popular and widespread idea that "Somebody else shouldn't be punished for my mistakes." That kind of thinking sounds noble, humble and honest. Actually this reasoning stems from pride, from not wanting to admit that no one can attain the standard of a holy God. For any of us to say that we can earn our own salvation is to say that God is something less than perfectly holy, and this is to say that God is less than God. Not only has Christ provided salvation by dying for our sins, but He will also return to Earth to judge the living and the dead (see John 5:22, 27; Acts 10:42).

Background Information

If I had Faked the Resurrection
Only a Master-Planner would have arranged such a perfect series of events.

Jesus: Liar, Lunatic or Lord?
How could one man turn the world upside down?

Questions and Answers

If God is a powerful and loving Father, why doesn't He do something about the mess on earth?
Answer

How can anyone watch the evening news and seriously say that the universe is run by a loving Father?
Answer

Just what is sin? Who decides what is or isn't sin?
Answer

Review Frequently Asked Questions

Stories

Salvation in Times of Crisis
Losing her father at a young age was the beginning of this woman questioning God's plan.

If you've been through a experience related to this topic, we invite you to share your story with others.
Share Your Story

Other Things to Consider

A Relentless Pursuit
At the time I became Christ's, my life was consumed by feminist politics and the gay and lesbian community.

Spend It Any Way You Like
Sometimes, the meaning of life is found in the most surprising places.

The Cross: What It Isn't, What It Is
Does Christ's cross have any power to help you?

The Perfect Family
In a world where even the best of families have problems, can there really be a "perfect family"?

Transitions: Changing Jobs, Moving

Relationships: Communication Gaps

Parenting Teens: Communication Problems