Why is it an offense that Christ died for sinners?

The offense of the cross stems from the humbling truth that salvation is rooted in Christ's work, not our own efforts. As stated in Romans 5:8, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. This stark reality challenges the innate human belief in self-righteousness and the capability to contribute to our own salvation. For many, this is a bitter pill to swallow, as it dismantles the notion that we can earn favor with God through our deeds, thus making the gospel profoundly offensive to the natural man.