Christ did die for us. We are His sheep. The good shepherd gave his life for the sheep. But the work was the Shepherd's. The grace was the Shepherds. The provision was the Shepherd's. The payment was the Shepherd's. The initiative was the Shepherd's. The gift of faith was given by the Shepherd Himself since it is a fruit of the Spirit of God in our lives. Our justification is because of the Shepherd. Our sanctification is because of the Shepherd. ANd our glorification and even our rewards will be because of the Shepherd. We could contribute nothing to getting ourselves saved. Our works were lower than sewer sludge. Yet, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. It is SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO about him and not about us. We are the benificieries, but HE is the author.
True. True.
Fittingly true.
Nevertheless . . . at some point . . . one can take that truth to a degree that becomes . . . how to say it . . .
an affront to The Blood that was shed. There, to my mind, is mystery and paradox there while much truth in your assertions.