Know for Certain: Answers for Those Who Doubt (Vol. 1)Sample

Know for Certain: Why Did Jesus Have to Die?

In order to answer this question thoroughly, we need to first understand the condition of sin. The word “sin” may have various connotations in our culture, but it’s actually a term borrowed from Greek archery. Whenever an archer would miss the bullseye, someone would call out, “Sin!” to communicate the archer had “missed the mark.” In terms of Christianity, missing the mark means falling short of God’s holy and perfect standard of living. The Bible is clear that mankind is continually falling short and will always miss the mark this side of heaven.

The other aspect of sin is that it’s a condition. Sin is like a terminal disease that needs to be eradicated. We can do things to treat the symptoms or ease the suffering, but if there is no cure, the condition will ultimately end in death. This death is exactly what the Bible says is the payment for our sin—not only physically, but also spiritually, which is an eternal separation from God.

Sin is a condition with no levels of sin. Even if we imagine there to be a spectrum where holy and righteous God is on the right and the worst criminals in history (Hitler and Stalin, for instance) are on the left, our sin places us closer to, or rather, with Hitler and Stalin instead of closer to or beside the holiness of God! We will never be able to rid ourselves of sin by our own strength and power.

As the video states, God doesn’t want us, His creations, to die. He is merciful and loving and wants us to be restored, living with Him in full life. That is why God sent the Redeemer, Jesus Christ, to live a sinless life and die in our place. Jesus took the full weight of our sin punishment upon Himself when He died on the cross. His resurrection conquered sin and death, enabling us to have a restored relationship with Him.

Jesus made it possible for our condition of sin to be eradicated that we may spend eternity with Him. Believing by faith in His substitutionary death and resurrection, we may know for certain our sin debt has been paid forever.