The Difference the Cross Makes

Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people. For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous. (Romans 5:18-19) 
 
It is hard to forgive when you have been wronged, but forgiveness is a path to peace and redemption, both for you and the offending person. In like manner, when mankind sinned against God, we created a debt, and became hopelessly lost and separated from Him. We were stricken with a disease which caused us to die.  (Genesis 2:1)  
 
God loved us so much that he chose to extend mercy instead of judgment, and devised a way to correct our wrong.  When nothing else would work, when there was no other way to pay the debt, God Himself paid it for us. (Romans 6:23)   
 
The cross represents the good news of our freedom won and debt paid in full by the only One who could pay it…God Himself in the person of Jesus Christ.  The only thing God requires for this pardon is belief and acceptance in what Jesus did for you.  Confess that you are a sinner in need of God’s forgiveness.  Believe Jesus paid your debt and accept His forgiveness for your sins.  Jesus ended sin’s curse of death by rising from the grave three days after His crucifixion. His victory becomes your victory and pathway back to God.  This is the difference the cross makes!