The whole question of good and evil was brought to an issue at the cross. Man was there in absolute wickedness and hatred against God, who was manifested in goodness and love. Satan was there with his whole power as prince of this world and having the power of death. But man in perfect goodness in Christ was there, in obedience and love to His Father, and this in the place of sin, as made sin, for it was there that the need was for God’s glory and eternal redemption. Finally, God manifested Himself in perfect righteousness, majesty and perfect love, so that all was perfectly settled morally forever. The fruits will be complete only in the new heavens and new earth, though the value of that work is now known to faith, but what is eternal is settled forever by it, for its value is such and cannot change.
J. N. Darby (adapted)