What was the purpose of the cross?

1. Forgiveness of sin. Christ died so all of our sins (past, present, future) could be forgiven. Without the remission of blood there could be no forgiveness.

2. To break the power of sin over us. Because of Jesus’ act on the cross, sin is no longer our master.

3. Righteousness. Jesus’ obedient act on the cross – bearing our sins, receiving our punishment – now allows us to be perpetually in right standing with God. Because of the cross we are holy and blameless in His sight.

4. Tearing of the veil. Each of us can now enter the Holy of Holies. Each of us now have access to the Father. We now can boldly go into His throne room of grace.

5. Healing. By His stripes we are healed.

The cross did not provide an easier way of obtaining righteousness. It was the only way. If we could have obtained any of this by simply “being good” or keeping the law, then Christ died in vain and God is cruel.

Let us celebrate today who we are because of the sacrifice of the cross.

“I do not reject God’s gracious gift; for if the way in which one attains righteousness is through legalism, then the Messiah’s death was pointless.”
‭‭Galatians (Gal)‬ ‭2:21‬ ‭CJB‬‬
http://bible.com/1275/gal.2.21.cjb