How do we know that God used the cross for our salvation?

The certainty of God's use of the cross for our salvation is rooted in His sovereign plan. According to Scripture, the cross was not an afterthought resulting from the fall of Adam; instead, it was the very purpose for which the fall occurred. Acts 2:23 emphasizes that Jesus was delivered up according to God's foreknowledge and plan. This predestined plan illustrates that the cross was God's will being enacted in human history, showcasing His justice, mercy, and love. By bearing the sins of His people, Christ reconciled us to Himself, making peace through the blood of His cross, as stated in Colossians 1:20. Hence, the cross is the foundation of God's work in salvation, securing the justification and sanctification of all who believe.