There has long been a controversy over the place of "good works" in the process of salvation from sin and its judgment. Self effort has been around for a long time. It was first manifest in the garden of Eden. When Adam and Eve had sinned, they were aware that they and their sin were exposed to God. "And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons" (Genesis 3:7). Their first reaction to sin was self effort to work their way out of the problem.
However, God had decreed the death penalty for sin. If Adam and Eve are to be forgiven and escape judgment, the penalty must be paid by a substitute. So God replaced the fig leaf aprons with fur coats. "What's the difference," you say? Think of this: fig trees don't die from the loss of a few leaves, but animals do die when stripped of their skins. The animals gave their lives that Adam and Eve might live. The sin was covered to God's satisfaction.
The Old Testament sacrificial system was based upon that premise begun in the garden. Certain designated animals were brought by the sinner to the priest for sacrifice. The penitent laid his hand upon the sacrificial animal, symbolically transferring his sin to the substitute, and the animal was slain, dying for the sinner. God was satisfied and the sinner lived.
But the system had a problem. Those repeated sacrifices only covered sins temporarily. Though required by God to be offered, ". . . it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins" (Hebrews 10:4). The sacrifices had to be offered again and again. Their effectiveness depended upon something else.
John the Baptist introduced the Lord Jesus Christ in these words: ". . . Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world" (John 1:29). The sins covered temporarily by animal sacrifices were to be taken away by the Lord Jesus Christ Who was to die once, for all.
The Apostle John says of all believers in Christ that ". . .the blood of Jesus Christ his son cleanseth us from all sin" (I John 1:7). The idea is again advanced that the covered sins are cleansed, that is, washed away.
Coats of skins in
the garden of Eden meant nothing and animals offered on an altar
in the Temple of Israel meant nothing if Jesus Christ did not die
as a sacrifice for our sins. He made those former sacrifices
effective on a temporary basis. If the coats of skins, provided
by God, meant nothing apart from Christ, what do you suppose your
little fig leaf apron might do for you? ". . . Believe
on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house"
(Acts 16:31).