Humanity at the Cross How the cross of Christ saved humanity from the power and slavery to sin

In order for Christ to be legally qualify as the Savior of the world, God had to unite His (Zoe) life to the corporate (Bios) life of the human race that needed redeeming— Deuteronomy 24:16; 1 Corinthians 1:30, 31. This took place in the womb of Mary at the Incarnation, making Christ the last Adam— 1 Corinthians 15:45.

As a result, the entire human race was implicated in the life and death of Christ. Therefore, His death was a corporate, or collective death that included all mankind— 2 Corinthians 5:14; 1 Peter 2:24 (KJV). So, all who accept Christ as their personal Savior and experience the new birth are “born crucified.”—Romans 6:3-5; Colossians 3:3.

Our death in Christ is essential to experience Justification by Faith. Accepting Christ as one’s personal Savior by faith requires one to obey the gospel— Romans 6:17; Galatians 5:7; 1 Peter 4:17. This means surrendering our condemned (Bios) life, we inherited from Adam, to the cross of Christ—Galatians 2:19, 20; 6:14.

In exchange we receive the eternal (Zoe) life of Christ, through the new birth experience—John 3:1-6; 1 John 5:11, 12. This is how we experience Justification by Faith. We pass from death to life or from condemnation unto death to justification unto life—John 5:24. This fully qualify us for heaven, now and in the judgment—Romans 8:1; 1 John 4:16-18.

The word justify or justification is a legal term that has a dual application: 1.It is applied to a person who is righteous and found not guilty in a court case— Deuteronomy 25:1. 2.It is also applied to a guilty person who has legally paid the price for his or her crime— Romans 6:7, 8; 2 Timothy 2:11.

Our death in Christ is also essential to experience Sanctification The Bible presents sin as a dual problem. First, it has to do with our sinful behavior, whether of the mind or body—Romans 7:7, 8; 1 John 3:4. Second, sin is also a law, a constant force (like the law of gravity) dwelling in our members which makes us slaves to sin—Romans 7:14-24.

Sinful acts can be forgiven through the blood of Christ—1 John 1:7. But the law or principle of sin in our members cannot be forgiven. It has to be put to death. This was accomplished through the cross of Christ— Romans 8:2-4; 13:14; Gal. 5:16.

From Under Law to Under Grace Through His death and resurrection, Christ has also delivered humanity from under law and placing them under grace—Galatians 4:4-6. God’s law has authority over us only as long as we are alive. Since believers died to the law in Christ, the law has no more dominion or authority over Christians—Romans 6:14 (1 Corinthians 15:56); Romans 7:1-4.

To be under grace does not mean we can live as we please. Grace does not give us such license—Romans 6:1-8. Grace has a threefold meaning or application in the New Testament: 1.God’s loving mercy by which He saved humanity in Christ (unmerited favor) — Ephesians 1:7.

2.The perfect obedience of Christ, His life and death. This is what is meant by, “saved by grace”— Romans 5:15-18; Ephesians 2:8. 3.The power of God made available to all believers, so that they can fulfill God’s will—1 Corinthians 15:9, 10; 2 Corinthians 12:7-9.

This is what makes the cross of Christ the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes— 1 Corinthian 1:17, 18; 22, 24. MAY WE ALL EXPERIENCE THE POWER OF THE CROSS