'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — May 14

The curse of the law condemns the sinner to death in soul and body. Nothing can free the soul, but Christ. The curse of the law is the most dreadful thing imaginable; it strikes at the eternal life of the soul, and when it has pronounced its verdict, it is immovable; no tears or reformation can free the guilty sinner. It requires an infinite satisfaction that no mere creature can give. Christ frees the believer from this curse. He dissolves the obligation to punishment and cancels all the bonds and chains of guilt. This is done by the full price being paid in place of the sinner, making a complete and full satisfaction. The ransom was paid in full and is sufficient. Christ was made a curse for us. It was an act of the God-man; no other was capable of giving satisfaction for an infinite wrong done to God. Christ's satisfaction for us was in obedience to God (Phil. 2:8) and his love to us in a most free and spontaneous act with respect to himself. He was moved out of pity and love to us (Gal. 5:2). Paul sweetly reflected on 'the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me' (Gal. 2:20). Since God is just, he cannot condemn the believer, since Christ has satisfied his debts. Does Satan or conscience set forth your sin in all of its discouraging circumstances? God has set forth Christ as a propitiation. O how comfortable a text is this! It is real, proper, and full. His blood is the blood of assurance. The Father with great severity exacted satisfaction for our sins upon his soul and body. With the obedience of his Son he was fully pleased and satisfied. Our faith in the satisfaction of Christ is built on the everlasting sealed truth of God. We should humbly adore the grace of God in providing such an assurance for us.

Devotional Readings taken from Puritan Devotional Readings 'Voices From The Past Vol.1.'
John Flavel, Works, I:176-187
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