He died for sinners. Have you ever lied, stolen, lusted, coveted, or been angry with someone unjustly? If so, then you have broken the Law of God. God has said, "You shall not steal; You shall not lie; You shall have no other gods before Me; You shall not murder," etc., (Exodus 20). He has given the standard of righteousness, and if you have broken any of God's commandments then you have fallen short of that standard and are under the inevitable judgment of God. When you die, you will face Him on the Day of Judgment and He will punish all sinners.
This is the message from God's word—that Jesus came to die for sinners and to save them from the wrath to come.
Jesus is the One you need. He alone. Not your works (Rom. 3:10; Isaiah 64:6). Not your sincerity. Not your goodness. You have nothing to offer God except your sinfulness. It is only by the love and grace of God, found in Jesus and His sacrifice that you can be delivered from the righteous wrath of God upon all who have broken His law. Jesus saves you from God’s wrath—for God's wrath, on the Day of Judgment, is upon sinners.
On that Day of Judgment God will judge all people for their sins against Him. He will judge all who have lied, stolen, cheated, lusted, dishonored their parents, etc. He will do this because He is holy and righteous. God must punish the sinner. God cannot and will not ignore the person who has broken His righteous law. The Law is a reflection of the character of God. Therefore, to break God's law is to offend God and deny the holiness of His character. He will be vindicated. He will judge.
The Bible says that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Rom 3:23). That means that your sins have caused a separation between you and God (Isaiah 59:2) and the result is death (Rom. 6:23) and wrath (Eph 2:3). The only way to be saved from the wrath of God is to be saved from it by faith in Jesus Christ (Eph. 2:8-9; Rom. 5:1). You must trust in what Jesus did on the cross to forgive you of your sins and not trust anything else, not even your own sincerity or works. It is Jesus and only Jesus who can turn away the righteous judgment of God upon the sinner.
The gospel is that Jesus died for sinners, was buried, and rose from the dead (1 Cor. 15:1-4). His death was the sacrifice that turns away the wrath of God (1 John 2:2). This is the only way to be saved; this is why Jesus had to die. Whether he died on a cross or torture stake is of minor importance.
Some Final Thoughts.
The Watchtower says, that the torture stake (cross) “should be viewed with revulsion,” WT, May 15, 1995, p 20. It should be a “hated thing,” (WT, Feb. 15, 1960, p 127) “an abominable thing.” (WT, Nov. 1, 1950, p 427). The WT asks, “if a loved one was killed with a gun, would you wear a gun on a chain around your neck?”
Paul Says, "For there are many, I used to mention them often but now I mention them also with weeping, who are walking as the enemies of the torture stake (cross) of the Christ, and their finish is destruction" . . . Philippians 3:18-19. NWT
“For the speech about the torture state (cross) is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is God’s power.” I Corinthians 1:18. NWT
“Never may it occur that I should boast, except in the torture stake (cross) of our Lord Jesus Christ" . . . “ Galatians 6:14 NWT
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