Before the Cross we were slaves to sin, with no escape. Try to do good, or purpose to do bad - it made no difference: we remained slaves to sin. But AFTER the Cross we have a choice: stay in the prison or run free. The prison doors are open!
Consider: the Old Covenant demanded righteousness based upon our performance: it demanded righteousness from sinful men. Deut 6:25 reads, “It will be righteousness for us if we are careful to observe all this commandment before the LORD our God, just as He commanded us.” But AFTER the Cross we find.... (find out more now!)
In the Old Covenant, God's favor hinged on your faithfulness. But in the New, His favor comes to us on account of Christ's faithfulness. Find out more now!
Read the bits of the Bible that come before the Cross and chances are you will be reading about a covenant that never applied to you—and no longer applies to the Israelites. Find out more now!
At the Cross, Jesus took our sins - all of them, past present and future.