The Causes and Consequences of the Cross

Romans 5:6-11

6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person–though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die– 8 but God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by His blood, much more shall we be saved by Him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by His life. 11 More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through Whom we have now received reconciliation. (ESV)

What are the causes and consequences of the cross of Christ?
We see the following in this passage:

  1. The Condition of Sinners:
    We live in the presence of an almighty God in whose presence our sin cannot be present.
    a. We are powerless to save ourselves.
    b. We are dead in our transgressions (Eph. 2:1-5).
    c. We are children of wrath.
    Are we moderating the use of created means? Moderating our passions? See the desperation of mankind. Weakness and ungodliness are the reasons for the cross.
    Christ died for the ungodly. The fall wasn’t just disobedience, it was the embrace of the devil’s false promise and the desire to be gods!

  2. The Crucifixion of our Saviour:
    The causes of the crucifixion:
    a. The weakness of humanity,
    b. The ungodliness of humanity, and
    c. The wrath of God (Rom. 1:18; 1 John 2).
    When our God is wrathful it is not a good thing.  
    d. The grace of God (Rom. 5:7).
    e. God’s love and holiness.
    f. Who caused the cross? We did.

  3. The Consequences of the Crucifixion:
    a. Justification – We are unable to save ourselves and deserving of His wrath. Yet, having been justified by His blood He gives us the righteousness of Christ!
    b. Propitiation – The putting down of God’s wrath. God’s righteous anger was propitiated.
    c. Reconciliation – Our relationship with God was reconciled. We were still enemies, yet, Christ reconciled us to the Father.
    d. Salvation – We are saved from death and God’s wrath.
    e. Joy – We rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ. We have been saved and reconciled and so we cannot but rejoice!