The Profound Depths of Christ's Death: Beyond Initial Salvation
Orientation
Many believers struggle with lingering condemnation or fear, not realizing the full scope of what Christ's death accomplished for them.
- The initial joy of forgiveness can be overshadowed by a sense of ongoing debt or accusation.
- We may feel the Law's demands still press upon us, or that our old sinful nature remains in control.
- This creates a barrier to the full assurance and confidence that is ours in Christ.
Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; (Colossians 2:14)
— Colossians 2:14
Clarification
Christ's death was not a partial payment leaving some work for us to do, but a complete, once-for-all termination of every hostile power and claim.
- It is a misunderstanding to think we must satisfy any remaining legal demands or defeat sin and Satan by our own effort.
- The 'Old Man' is not a part of us we must manage, but an identity that was judicially terminated in Christ's death.
- Our growth is not about earning more freedom, but understanding the freedom already fully won.
By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. (Hebrews 10:10)
— Hebrews 10:10
Structure
The death of Christ is a multi-faceted divine act that simultaneously addresses our legal standing, our old identity, our enemy, and our worldly allegiance to create an entirely new reality.
- It abolished the legal record (the handwriting of ordinances) that condemned us.
- It terminated the 'Old Man,' breaking our identification with Adamic sinfulness.
- It destroyed the devil's dominion and crucified us to the world's system.
- It created the 'New Man,' inaugurating our new life and identity in Christ.
Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. (Romans 6:6)
— Romans 6:6
Weight-Bearing Prose
The Gospel’s depth is revealed in the Pauline categories that describe what God did in Christ’s death. It was not merely an event for forgiveness, but a judicial termination. Christ’s death abolished the ‘handwriting of ordinances’ (Colossians 2:14)—the Law’s legal claim and accusation against us. This nullification is absolute, leaving no basis for condemnation. Concurrently, it did away with the ’Old Man’ (Romans 6:6), our former self in Adam. God did not reform this old source; He judged it as irredeemable and terminated it. This breaks our core identification with sinfulness. Furthermore, His once-for-all sacrifice (Hebrews 10:10) fully satisfied all demands of sin and the Law, making any notion of supplementary atonement an insult to its sufficiency. In the same act, He destroyed him who had the power of death, that is, the devil (Hebrews 2:14), stripping Satan of his accusatory weapon based on the now-abolished Law. Christ’s death also crucified us to the world (Galatians 6:14), severing our fundamental allegiance to its values. The positive result is the creation of the ’New Man’ (Ephesians 2:15)—a new spiritual identity in righteousness. These are not progressive stages we achieve, but finished realities we apprehend. To reintroduce Law-keeping for standing, to try to manage the Old Man, or to fear Satan’s accusations is to functionally deny the comprehensive work of the cross.
Integration
Your standing before God is not a project in progress. It is a finished reality anchored in Christ’s accomplished death. Every demand has been met, every enemy disarmed, every old tie severed. The confidence this brings is not based on your fluctuating understanding or feelings, but on the fixed historical fact of the cross. As you see more of what Christ has done, your assurance grows, not because you’ve earned more, but because you see more of what was already fully given. This understanding empowers you to approach any thought of judgment without fear, because the One who died for you is your righteousness, your sanctification, and your reward. Rest here. Christ is your life, and His death is the guarantee of your complete acceptance and eternal security.