4. God's Solution

God's solution to the root universal human problem of sin was to send his son to die on the cross. From the point of view of the wisdom of the world, the crucifixion of Christ appeared to be a crushing defeat for Christ and a thwarting of his mission. The truth is the cross was the greatest triumph in history. In one stroke, Christ conquered evil on every level, saved sinners by the millions and revealed the glory and power of God to a fallen, impotent humanity.

Satan was the spiritual force behind Judas Iscariot's betrayal, and the Roman and Jewish effort to murder the Messiah. But God was sovereignly using his evil actions as part of his great redemptive plan to save a people for himself. Satan unwittingly participated in the event which smashed down the gates of his kingdom of darkness that the people of God might stream into the kingdom of light.

On the cross, our old sinful nature was put to death, so that those who unite with Christ experience the dethronement of the sinful nature. Furthermore, Christ removed the shame and guilt of sin so that those who believe in him are no longer under condemnation. We who were alienated from God have now been reconciled with him if we accept Christ.