THE OFFENCE OF THE CROSS

 

EVENING DEVOTION by James Smith

JUNE 6

 

Galatians 5:11

And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision,

why do I yet suffer persecution?

then is the offence of the cross ceased.

 
The doctrine of salvation by a crucified Jew was in Paul’s day peculiarly offensive; many stumbled at it and perished; and the doctrine of complete salvation by faith in Christ alone, is still offensive to many.
 
Man naturally desires to be something, to do something, and to be thought something; but in the doctrine of salvation by grace, man is nothing, —Christ is all.
 
It presents the Crucified One as the object of faith, the alone ground of hope, and the medium through which every blessing flows.
 
It places all upon a level, the harlot and the modest maiden—the thief and the honest man—the poor and the wealthy—the illiterate and the learned; and presents salvation to each on the same terms, requiring all alike to rest upon the finished work of Jesus, and allows no flesh to glory in God’s presence.
 
This is very offensive to the pride of man. In a word, the gospel knows no man after the flesh, but points all to Jesus, directs each to the strait gate and narrow way, inculcates self-denial and self-renunciation as necessary to salvation, and shuts up every soul to this alternative, it must believe in Christ, or perish.
 
This is the offence of the cross.
 

Jesus is a perfect Saviour,

Only source of all that’s good;

Every grace and every favour

Come to us through Jesu’s blood.

 
James Smith