The Real Reason For The Cross - Pt 1

The Real Reason For The Cross - Pt 1

I once made this statement to a friend, “We want to be with God and God wants us to be with Him. So how do we solve this dilemma of a holy God that cannot allow sin into His presence?” He correctly pointed out that this is not necessarily a correct statement. Let me explain.

First of all, we should avoid ever using the term “cannot” when we talk about God. God is far greater than that. I have preached long and hard about how we should never put God “in a box” and then I did just that. I should have stated that differently. But, there is more.

The question arises as to whether or not God allows sin to be present and near Him. How can that be if He is holy? Yet, how can that NOT be when God interacts with sinful beings all the time? Jesus was God and He came to sinful earth to live among sinners. He associated with sinners on a regular basis.

He touched them, spoke with them, ate with them, walked with them, wept with them, felt compassion for them and even prayed for them. Jesus was surrounded by sinners just about every day.

So, how do we answer that? I’m not going to be able to tackle this in one piece, so bear with me for a couple of days and I will try to explain all of this in a way that makes sense and which leads us right up to the Cross and an empty tomb.

Let’s start by making this much clear; we are sinful and God is not.

Ephesians 2:1

“And you were dead in your trespasses and sins.”

Tomorrow: Part 2: the impact of sin.