𝗪𝗛𝗘𝗡 𝗪𝗘 𝗧𝗥𝗨𝗦𝗧 𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗞𝗦, 𝗪𝗘 𝗜𝗡𝗦𝗨𝗟𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗣𝗢𝗪𝗘𝗥 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗖𝗥𝗢𝗦𝗦

𝗪𝗛𝗘𝗡 𝗪𝗘 𝗧𝗥𝗨𝗦𝗧 𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗞𝗦, 𝗪𝗘 𝗜𝗡𝗦𝗨𝗟𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗣𝗢𝗪𝗘𝗥 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗖𝗥𝗢𝗦𝗦

𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐑𝐎𝐃𝐔𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 — “THE GREAT INSULT OF RELIGION”

Throughout history, mankind has always tried to add something to what Christ already finished. Whether through rituals, religion, repentance works, law-keeping, sacraments, or self-effort — man tries to contribute to salvation. But the message of Paul in this dispensation is clear:

To trust your own works is to insult the cross.
To add human effort is to subtract divine grace.
To depend on performance is to deny the power of Christ’s payment.

The gospel message today is simple (1 Corinthians 15:1–4):
Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again — fully, finally, forever finished.

Let us study seven powerful reasons why trusting our works insults the cross of Christ.

I. 𝗧𝗥𝗨𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗞𝗦 𝗜𝗡𝗦𝗨𝗟𝗧𝗦 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗖𝗥𝗢𝗦𝗦’𝗦 𝗦𝗨𝗙𝗙𝗜𝗖𝗜𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗬

(Galatians 2:16; Ephesians 2:8–9; Romans 3:24)

A. Salvation is Secured by Grace Alone – Eph. 2:8–9
B. Salvation is Settled by Christ Alone – Gal. 2:16
C. Salvation is Supplied Freely – Rom. 3:24

Dispensational Note: Under Law, righteousness was demanded; under Grace, righteousness is declared by Christ’s finished work.

II. 𝗧𝗥𝗨𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗞𝗦 𝗜𝗡𝗦𝗨𝗟𝗧𝗦 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗖𝗥𝗢𝗦𝗦’𝗦 𝗦𝗔𝗖𝗥𝗜𝗙𝗜𝗖𝗘

(Galatians 2:21; Hebrews 10:10–12; Romans 5:6–8)

A. It Makes Christ’s Death Needless – Gal. 2:21
B. It Makes Christ’s Offering Powerless – Heb. 10:12
C. It Makes Christ’s Love Meaningless – Rom. 5:8

Dispensational Note: If works could save, God would not have sent His Son. Religion replaces Christ with self.

III. 𝗧𝗥𝗨𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗞𝗦 𝗜𝗡𝗦𝗨𝗟𝗧𝗦 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗖𝗥𝗢𝗦𝗦’𝗦 𝗦𝗜𝗠𝗣𝗟𝗜𝗖𝗜𝗧𝗬

(Romans 4:5; Titus 3:5; Acts 16:31)

A. Faith Alone Saves the Sinner – Rom. 4:5
B. Free Grace Saves the Ungodly – Titus 3:5
C. Full Trust Saves Immediately – Acts 16:31

Dispensational Note: In this age, God removed religion, rituals, and requirements — leaving only believe.

IV. 𝗧𝗥𝗨𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗞𝗦 𝗜𝗡𝗦𝗨𝗟𝗧𝗦 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗖𝗥𝗢𝗦𝗦’𝗦 𝗦𝗨𝗕𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗧𝗨𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡

(2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:24; Romans 6:23)

A. Christ Took Our Sin Completely – 2 Cor. 5:21
B. Christ Took Our Shame Personally – 1 Pet. 2:24
C. Christ Took Our Sentence Eternally – Rom. 6:23

Dispensational Note: Christ stood in our place — any attempt to earn salvation denies His substitutionary payment.

V. 𝗧𝗥𝗨𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗞𝗦 𝗜𝗡𝗦𝗨𝗟𝗧𝗦 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗖𝗥𝗢𝗦𝗦’𝗦 𝗦𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗦𝗙𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡

(1 John 2:2; Romans 3:25–26; Isaiah 53:11)

A. God’s Wrath Was Fully Satisfied – 1 John 2:2
B. God’s Righteousness Was Fully Shown – Rom. 3:26
C. God’s Justice Was Fully Served – Isa. 53:11

Dispensational Note: The cross satisfied every requirement of God — no human work can add to divine satisfaction.

VI. 𝗧𝗥𝗨𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗞𝗦 𝗜𝗡𝗦𝗨𝗟𝗧𝗦 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗖𝗥𝗢𝗦𝗦’𝗦 𝗦𝗘𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗚

(Ephesians 1:13; Ephesians 4:30; 2 Corinthians 1:22)

A. The Spirit Seals Us Completely – Eph. 1:13
B. The Spirit Secures Us Permanently – Eph. 4:30
C. The Spirit Settles Us Eternally – 2 Cor. 1:22

Dispensational Note: In this dispensation, the moment you believe — you are sealed. Works do not seal; the Spirit does.

VII. 𝗧𝗥𝗨𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗞𝗦 𝗜𝗡𝗦𝗨𝗟𝗧𝗦 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗖𝗥𝗢𝗦𝗦’𝗦 𝗦𝗨𝗖𝗖𝗘𝗦𝗦

(Colossians 2:10–14; Romans 8:1; Hebrews 1:3)

A. Christ Finished the Work Entirely – Heb. 1:3
B. Christ Forgave the Sins Completely – Col. 2:13
C. Christ Freed Us from Condemnation Forever – Rom. 8:1

Dispensational Note: Salvation is not a process — it is a completed transaction because of Christ’s successful payment.

𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐂𝐋𝐔𝐒𝐈𝐎𝐍 — “THE GREATEST OFFENSE TO THE CROSS”

The greatest insult to the cross is not cursing,
not denying God,
not even rejecting religion…

The greatest insult is this:

Trying to help Jesus save you.

The cross needs no assistance.
Grace requires no assistance.
Faith demands no assistance.

Christ did not say “I started the work.”
He said,
“It is finished.”

𝐂𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐓𝐎 𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍

BELIEVERS: Rest in the finished work—stop doubting, stop working, stop trying to earn what Christ already paid.

PREACHERS: Preach the pure gospel—Christ alone saves, not religion, not repentance works, not sacraments.

CHURCHES: Exalt the cross—not tradition, not performance, not emotionalism.

𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐋 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒

Works cannot add to what Christ completed.
The cross loses power when man adds effort.
Salvation is by grace through faith alone.
Substitution makes your work unnecessary.
Imputation makes your righteousness insufficient.
The Spirit seals, not your performance.
Trusting works is the greatest insult to the cross.