God alone knows how many people who call themselves Christians are so estranged from the reality of the gospel that they do not experience anything anymore of the meaning and the power of the cross of Christ.
Fortunately, there are still many Christians who find in the crucifixion of Christ the great moment of the redemption of the sins of the world. But of that number not so many realize that Christ's death on the cross has brought about much more than just the reconciliation of the guilt of our lives!
Redemption of the guilt of sin was necessary to bridge the gap that had come to separate us from God. Thanks to the death of the Savior, God can approach us again without thereby causing our deaths, corrupt as we are in ourselves. On the contrary, because Jesus has died for us, God can kindle true life in us.
When we believe that Jesus is a reconciliation for the sins of the world, we do not believe anything more than the devil does (James 2:19). Who only believes this, will never get any further than to keep asking for forgiveness for his sins, without ever finding deliverance. Paul says that we have been saved from what we used to be (:3) through the rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, and all this through the fulfilled work of Jesus.
So God does not only offer us reconciliation, but also a new life, redeemed from all that lies behind us!
If we are truly grateful for being reconciled with God in Jesus Christ, then let us not attempt to demonstrate this by behaving decently, in a Christian manner, but let us submit ourselves to that new life that is born of God. This is the only way to bear real fruit for Him.