That which distinguishes
Christianity from all the religions of the world is the message of the Gospel,
the message of redemption through the death of Jesus Christ the Son of God. We
believe in blood atonement. "Without shedding of blood is no
remission,"(Hebrews 9:22).
Salvation comes to sinners through the merits
of Christ's death as the sinner's Substitute. The Word of God attributes the
death of Christ to four things specifically.
1. The Love of God (I John 4:10).
The cause of redemption, the cause of all grace is the everlasting love of God
for his people. He chose us, purposed to save us, and gave his Son to redeem us
because He loved us!
2. Divine Predestination (Acts 2:23).
The Son of God did not die by accident, but by the eternal, unalterable purpose
of God. He is the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world (Revelation
13:8).
3. The Righteousness of God (Romans 3:24-26).
God could never justify sinners until the sinners' Substitute had established
perfect righteousness and satisfied all the demands of justice in the place of
His people. Christ died, the just for the unjust, because there was no other
way for him to bring us to God.
4. His Own Will (John 10:11,15,18).
The Son of God loved and laid down His life for His sheep. He gave Himself for
his sheep because He must bring His sheep to glory, (John 10:16). His death
guarantees their salvation!