The Cross Covered It All — No Exceptions, No Add-Ons
I often hear people say things like, “You must repent,” or “You must choose,” or “You must have faith” in order for the cross of Christ to apply to you. These statements sound spiritual, but they carry a dangerous assumption — that our actions somehow make Christ’s work effective.
Scripture says otherwise. The truth is this: we are saved by Christ’s work alone. All will eventually be saved because of Christ, and nothing can be added to this work. As Paul said in Acts 17:25, “Nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.” God doesn’t need our help to make the cross effective — and we can do nothing to make it ineffective.
Special Salvation Now, Salvation for all Later
God, in His timing, gives faith to some now so they can believe and rejoice in Christ’s completed work before the rest of the world does. These believers enjoy what Paul calls in 1 Timothy 4:10 a “special salvation” — they are “believers” who already know the Savior who is “the Savior of all mankind.”
This means:
- Believers now will enjoy aionion life (life in the coming glorious ages) before others.
- They will share in Christ’s reign and work alongside Him to reconcile the universe to God through the cross (Colossians 1:20).
The rest — unbelievers — will come to this same realization later, through judgment. As Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:22-23, “For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order.”
Where Do Faith, Repentance, and Choice Come From?
The religious world gets this wrong. They think these things come from inside us, as if we muster them up and hand them to God like a gift. But scripture shows the opposite.
- Faith is a gift: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8).
- Repentance is granted by God: “God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth” (2 Timothy 2:25).
- Our will is shaped by Him: “It is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13).
We can give nothing to God that He hasn’t first given to us. Everything — even the very breath in our lungs — comes from Him (Acts 17:25).
The Root, Not Just the Branches
Many religious people divide sins into categories — as though Christ’s death covered some sins but not others. But scripture doesn’t say Jesus died for some sins. It says He died for SIN and DEATH itself — the root cause of every sinful act.
- “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29)
- “The last enemy to be destroyed is death.” (1 Corinthians 15:26)
Think of it like this: if you uproot a poisonous tree entirely — roots and all — every branch, leaf, fruit, and seed is gone with it. Christ didn’t just prune certain branches (like lying or lust) while leaving others untouched (like “willful sin” or “unpardonable sin”). He destroyed the root system — sin and death itself — so that nothing connected to it can survive.
The Cross Is Not Subject to Human Discretion
Sometimes I wonder… when Jesus was being scourged, mocked, and nailed to the cross, did He think:
“I hope Mr. and Mrs. Christian will believe this… otherwise it’s all for nothing.”
Of course not. The cross wasn’t an offer dependent on human acceptance. It was an accomplishment. Jesus didn’t die to make salvation possible — He died to save. “It is finished” (John 19:30) means exactly what it says.
Grace Produces Love, Not License
When we understand Christ’s finished work, it changes how we live. Knowing we’re already reconciled to God doesn’t make us want to sin — it makes us want to love Him more.
- “For the grace of God has appeared… training us to renounce ungodliness” (Titus 2:11–12).
Religion says: “Live right so you can be saved.”
The gospel says: “You are saved, so live in love and thanksgiving.”
Fear-based obedience never produces genuine love — it produces anxiety and hypocrisy. But when you know nothing can undo what Christ has done, your obedience becomes joyful and sincere.
The Real Issue: Self-Reliance Masquerading as Holiness
When someone rejects the idea that Christ’s death covers “willful sin,” they’re really just looking for a way to credit themselves. It’s spiritual pride.
- “So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.” (Romans 9:16)
They think:
- “I’m saved because I don’t willfully sin.”
- “I avoid certain sins, so I’m better than others.”
That’s not the gospel. That’s religion. It’s an attempt to shrink Christ’s work so it fits inside the box of human effort. And it always leads to pride in self and a minimized cross.
Not Power to Stop Sinning — A Guarantee of Victory
Some religious people say, “Jesus died for sin so you can stop sinning.” But that’s just another way of saying, “Jesus did His part, now I do mine.” That’s not grace — that’s self-righteousness.
Here’s the truth:
We are still dying. Unless we are “snatched away” (1 Thessalonians 4:17), death will touch us. Romans 5:12-13 tells us we sin because we have death. As long as death is operating in us, sin will be, too. The total victory over sin and death happens when both are abolished forever (1 Corinthians 15:26).
Yes, those given belief now will experience immortality first — but the rest will follow after the correction of judgment (Philippians 2:10-11). The point is: Christ didn’t die to give us the power to never sin or die now — He died to guarantee that every creature will be freed from both in their own order (1 Corinthians 15:23).
Grace Changes Lives — Religion Judges
If someone has truly been given grace to see what Christ accomplished, it will transform their life. Grace doesn’t give permission to sin — it produces thanksgiving and love. It’s only those who reject grace and cling to human effort who think grace encourages sin.
Religion invents sins that may not even be sins to God, then condemns others for them to feel more righteous. But if someone continues in sin because they don’t yet understand grace, that’s between them and God — not a religious jury. If they haven’t yet experienced grace, God will bring them to it in His timing.
The Truth That Sets You Free
Christ didn’t just cover the sins you’ve committed so far. He defeated the entire power of sin and death, forever. Every willful sin, every failure — all nailed to the cross (Colossians 2:13-14).
If the root is gone, the branches can’t grow back. The cross is enough. The resurrection proves it. And in the end, God will be all in all (1 Corinthians 15:28).
Bottom Line
If Christ’s cross can’t cover “willful sin,” then sin is stronger than the Savior — and that’s a lie.
ebook: In Perfect Control: God’s Sovereignty Over All Creatures and Every Detail
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