Christ consented to die in the sinner’s stead, that man, by a life of obedience, might escape the penalty of the law of God. His death did not make the law of none effect; it did not slay the law, lessen its holy claims, nor detract from its sacred dignity. The death of Christ proclaimed the justice of His Father’s law in punishing the transgressor, in that He consented to suffer the penalty of the law Himself in order to save fallen man from its curse. The death of God’s beloved Son on the cross shows the immutability of the law of God. His death magnifies the law and makes it honorable, and gives evidence to man of its changeless character. From His own divine lips are heard the words: “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.” The death of Christ justified the claims of the law. {2T 200.2}

Kristus samtykkede i at dø i synderens sted, for at mennesket ved (201) et liv i lydighed kunne undslippe Guds lovs straf. Hans død gjorde ikke loven ugyldig; den slog ikke loven ihjel, svækkede ikke dens hellige krav eller formindskede dens hellige værdighed. Kristi død forkyndte, at Faderens lov var retfærdig, når den straffede overtræderen, idet han selv samtykkede i at lide lovens straf for at kunne frelse det faldne menneske fra dens forbandelse. Guds elskede søns død på korset viser Guds lovs uforanderlighed. Hans død løfter loven til højhed og ære og giver menneskene et synligt vidnesbyrd om dens uforanderlige karakter. Fra hans egne guddommelige læber lyder disse ord: »Tro ikke, at jeg er kommen for at nedbryde loven eller profeterne; jeg er ikke kommen for at nedbryde, men for at fuldkomme.« Kristi død retfærdiggjorde lovens fordringer.