In a paragraph:
“The most terrifying news in the world is that we have fallen under the condemnation of our Creator and that he is bound by his own righteous character to preserve the worth of his glory by pouring out his wrath on the sin of our ingratitude. But there is a fourth great truth that no one can ever learn from nature or from their own consciences, a truth which has to be told to neighbors and preached in churches and carried by missionaries: namely, the good news that God has decreed a way to satisfy the demands of his righteousness without condemning the whole human race. He has taken it upon himself apart from any merit in us to accomplish our salvation. The wisdom of God has ordained a way for the love of God to deliver us from the wrath of God without compromising the righteousness of God. And what is this wisdom?”
In a sentence:
“Jesus Christ, the Son of God crucified, is the Wisdom of God, by which the love of God can save sinners from the wrath of God, and all the while uphold and demonstrate the righteousness of God.”
John Piper, “Conversion to Christ: The Making of a Christian Hedonist,” Matthew 13:44-46
(HT: Pure Church)
Already Not Yet 
Thank you for your ministry. I love this post… it reminds me that we should never neglect the fact that the God of the Old Testament has never changed. The wrath and justice that He requires is stayed only by the sacrifice of the Son. {Hallelujah!} The Truth of the Gospel cannot be separted from the Truth of Mt. Sinai. Praise God for His wisdom.
May I respectfully add for clarity that Christ’s death in not efficacious for salvation in and of itself without including his resurrection.
The effect of both Jesus’ death and resurrection is essential for the salvation of all who believe. The resurrection is always included in Paul’s gospel.
“And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; *ye are yet in your sins*. Then they also which are fallen asleep-[dead] in Christ are perished.(1Cor.15.17,18)
The apostle Paul said one MUST believe (trust in; rely upon) the *Gospel of Christ* message to be saved.
Romans 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of *the gospel of Christ*: for it is the power of God unto *SALVATION* to every one that *BELIEVETH*…”
✻ The Gospel of Christ ✻
“Moreover brethren, I declare unto you the GOSPEL which I preached unto you, which also ye have received and wherein
ye stand. By which also *YE ARE SAVED*, if you keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that CHRIST DIED FOR OUR SINS according
to the scriptures; And that he WAS BURIED, and that HE ROSE AGAIN the third day according to the scriptures:”
–1Co 15:1-4
So the power of God *to save * is the BELIEF that {Christ died for our sins and that he was buried and rose again the third day}.
1 Thessalonians 4:14 (KJV)
14. For “if” we “believe” that *Jesus died and rose again*, even so them also which sleep-(died) in Jesus will God bring with him.
Romans 4:25
“Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.