Attraction of the cross - Spring - VIII - Chapter 9 (The inquiring sinner directed to the cross)

Required reading
The attraction of the cross by Gardiner Spring (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Chapter 9 (The inquiring sinner directed to the cross).

My summary
This week Spring discusses the importance of directing the inquiring sinner to the cross.

After dismissing wrong directions, Spring tells us to direct sinners to have faith in the cross.  Such faith in the cross:
(i) is right in itself and the duty of every man;
(ii) meets the exigencies of his awakened mind;
(iii) meets the exigencies of his condition;
(iv) makes the way of salvation plain.

What grabbed me
I liked Spring's comment that faith makes the way of salvation plain: 'It does not trifle with the sins and miseries of men by directing them to an unintelligible method of mercy. Men may view this method of mercy through a perverted medium ; they may obscure it by their unbelief; they may throw obstacles in the path, even by their own honest efforts to make themselves fit to become its objects ; but they are obstacles of their own creating. Multitudes become discouraged in seeking eternal life, and finally perish, by supposing it a more difficult thing to be saved than it actually is. With a certain class of minds, this is one of the great artifices of the subtle adversary. God gives with freeness ; he gives with strange liberality; he loves to give eternal life to all who accept his Son. "Hearken unto me,'' says he,  "ye that are stouthearted and far from righteousness; behold, I bring near my righteousness ; it shall not be far off, and my salvation shall not tarry!" And salvation is brought near. Here at the foot of Calvary, and by all the love and mercy of the Cross, the God of heaven entreats you to "look and live.'' He does not require you to become your own Saviour, but rather to cease from this vain and disheartening effort, and be saved by him who bled for your redemption.'

It is incredible that some stumble on the fact that salvation is free. 

But for others, it is the best news they ever hear.

Next week's reading
Read Chapter 10 (A stumbling-block removed).

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