Required reading
The attraction of the cross by Gardiner Spring (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Chapter 7 (The cross a completed justification).
My summary
Today Spring teaches us that the cross brings a completed justification.
Firstly he establishes that we are unable to justify ourselves, but the infinite Christ can.
Then Spring speaks about how the righteousness of Christ becomes ours and when this takes place.
The chapter closes with Spring exhorting us to take courage and be humble in light of our justification.
What grabbed me
I appreciated the application at the end: 'The Cross is a withering thought to all the hopes of the purely self-righteous. The vain effort to make your way to heaven by '"works of righteousness which you have done," is only to rush on the avenger's sword. Your courage will fail. You are welcome to the effort ; but you have no alternative but to abide the precept and fulfil the law. And I forewarn you that it will cost you care and pains, watchfulness and agony, utterly beyond the power of man. Already have you a burden of guilt too heavy to be borne. And when you have struggled with it till your strength withers, and every hope is crushed, and your heart sinks within you, I pray God it may not be too late for you to look to the Cross of the atoning, justifying Saviour, and remember who it was that came to seek and to save that which was lost.'
Cling to Christ for justification - there is no other way!
Next week's reading
Read Chapter 8 (Faith in the cross).
Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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