Driven to the Foot of the Cross

Scripture: Luke 18:13 (KJV)

"God be merciful to me a sinner."

Personal Reflection

The goal of Holy Spirit conviction is not despair but Christ. Conviction strips away every false refuge until the sinner has nowhere to turn except the Savior. Chapter 25 beautifully reminds us that conviction is not an end in itself. It is God's gracious work of driving sinners to the foot of the cross where mercy is found. 

The publican in Jesus' parable illustrates this beautifully. He made no excuses. He offered no comparison with others. He simply cried for mercy. His confidence rested entirely upon God's grace.

Every believer has come this same way. Before Christ became precious, we had to see ourselves as guilty. Before grace became amazing, we had to understand our hopelessness. The Holy Spirit emptied our hands so that Christ alone would fill them.

This remains the pattern of the Christian life. Whenever we drift into self-reliance, the Spirit lovingly brings us back to the cross. There we remember that our acceptance before God rests entirely upon the finished work of Jesus Christ.

The cross is not merely where the Christian life begins; it is where the Christian continually returns.

Contemplation

Am I resting today in Christ alone, or have I subtly begun trusting my own performance?

Puritan Quote

Thomas Boston wrote:

"The believer lives at the cross as well as comes to it."

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for receiving sinners who come empty-handed. Keep me near the cross where I continually remember that my only hope is Your perfect righteousness and atoning blood. Amen.

Application

Spend time today meditating on the crucifixion account in one of the Gospels, thanking Christ for being your only refuge and righteousness.