Attraction of the cross - Spring - III - Chapter 3 (The cross an effective propitiation for sin)

Required reading
The attraction of the cross by Gardiner Spring (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read  Chapter 3 (The cross an effective propitiation for sin).

My summary
This week Spring teaches us that the cross is an effective propitiation for sin.

We learn that:
(i) sin deserves punishment;
(ii) sacrifice for sin has a long history;
(iii) atonement is an expiation;
(iv) the sufferings and death of Christ are propitiatory.

What grabbed me
I liked this statement on the justice of God: 'Justice demands the punishment of the transgressor, and forever stands in the way of his exercising pardon as a mere sovereign. Nor is this a fancied difficulty, nor one which any strength or ardor of love may leap over, or break through. What he once views as sinful, he always views as sinful ; what he once views as deserving punishment, he always views as deserving punishment ; and what he is once disposed to punish, he is always disposed to punish. He has proclaimed this disposition in his law; nor is it a parade of authority, or an empty declaration, nor is it any the worse for being violated or executed. Nor is there any reason for waiving the execution of it, unless that reason be found in a satisfactory atonement. If there be good and solid reasons why the penalty should be inflicted where no atonement exists, there are the same reasons why an atonement is called for if the penalty be remitted. God was not bound to forgive ; it was not necessary for him to forgive ; but if he does gratify his love in acts of pardon, he owes to himself, and to that everlasting difference between right and wrong which he himself has established, to do it in a way that satisfies and supports his immutable justice.'

God was bound to administer justice after the first sin was committed, but he was never bound to forgive. 

Yet, in his mercy, he does forgive some.

Next week's reading
Read Chapter 4 (The cross the only propitiation).

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.