Why is Christ's work on the cross central to salvation?

The centrality of Christ's work on the cross lies in its role as the complete fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. As Romans 5:19 explains, by one man's disobedience many were made sinners; so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. Christ’s sacrificial death satisfied God's justice and secured our justification by bearing the punishment for our sins. Hebrews 10:10 affirms that we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all, demonstrating that His sacrifice is sufficient for our redemption. This truth emphasizes that all who believe in Him are credited with His righteousness, which is pivotal in Reformed theology and underscores salvation as a work of divine grace.