What Does the Cross Accomplish?

For the past seven weeks I've been teaching at the afternoon and the evening Bible studies atonement theology. My point has been to present the cross as Christ dying as our sacrifice to atone for our sin. At our last study I hoped to summarize the work of the cross with the 26 points below. I was helped by John Piper's book on the subject, a free on-line version of this is available here. http://www.desiringgod.org/media/pdf/books_pojc/bpojc_all.pdf

I write this after the last evening study and I am relieved that it is over. I am relieved partially because it has been a lot of work, but mainly because this subject matter is very emotional. Everything that matters to me matters because of the atoning work of Christ on the cross. And I so desperately want our church to respond to the cross with the deepest appreciation at every point of our life. The application of the cross is endless. We will fall away from faith or the church because we don't understand and haven't been affected by the work of the cross. I am appreciative of all who attended the studies, yet I am deeply concerned for those who don't feel the weight of importance that this event has. It is not dull theology, but the life-changing work of God to which there is no substitute. A break from the weight of these concerns is needed for me. Be amazing this Easter at the glory of the atonement.

Here are the 26 points. This is good news.

Satisfied his justice over sins gone unpunished before Jesus’ death
‘in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins’ (Romans 3:25)

We no longer face the consequences of the fall and our own sin
‘redeemed us from the curse of the law’ (Galatians 3:13)

God is pleased
‘a fragrant offering and a sacrifice to God’ (Ephesians 5:2)

God shows he loves us
‘God shows his love for us’ (Romans 5:8)

We lose our criminal record
‘canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands’ (Colossians 2:13)

Our sins are forgiven
‘redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses’ (Ephesians 1:7)

To abolish all rituals as a path to salvation
‘but if I, brothers, still preach circumcision’ (Galatians 5:11)

To bring us to faith and keep us in the faith
‘I will make with them an everlasting covenant...And I will put the fear of me in their hearts, that they may not turn from me. (Jeremiah 32:40)

To make us holy
‘in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him’ (Colossians 1:22)

To give us a clear conscience
‘purify our conscience from dead works’ (Hebrews 9:14)

To give us all things that are good
‘will he not also with him graciously give us all things’ (Romans 8:32)

To save us from the evil in the world today
‘to deliver us from the present evil age’ (Galatians 1:4)

We are friends, not enemies of God
‘we are reconciled’ (Romans 5:10)

To create the church
‘care for the church of God, which he bought with his own blood’ (Acts 20:28)

To bring to an end the OT Priesthood and sacrificial system
‘He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily’ (Hebrews 7:26-27)

We can fully love each other
‘that you may belong to another’ (Romans 7:4)

Live for God
‘those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised’ (2 Corinthians 5:15)

To show married couples how to live
‘Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her’ (Ephesians 5:25)

To give us an example of how to live in a sinful world
‘Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example’ (1 Peter 2:21)

To destroy the devil and slavery to the fear of death
‘destroy the one who has the power of death’ (Hebrews 2:15)

That we would be with him when we die
‘whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him’ (1 Thessalonians 5:10)

To secure our resurrection from the dead
‘we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his’ (Romans 6:5)

To unleash the power of God in the world
‘it is the power of God’ (1 Corinthians 1:18)

To destroy hostility between races
‘people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation (Revelation 5:9)

To bring us and him joy
‘For the joy that was set before him’ (Hebrews 12:2)

Blessings are bestowed on Christ
‘to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing’ (Revelation 5:12)