This is very offensive to the pride of man! ',

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"The offence of the cross!" Galatians 5:11

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 only ground of hope, and
the medium through which every blessing flows. 

It places the cross in the centre, directs the eye to it, and makes it the constant object of attention and attraction. 

It places all people on the same level: 
the harlot—and the virtuous maiden,
the thief—and the honest man,
the poor—and the wealthy,
the illiterate—and the educated.

This is very offensive to the pride of man! 

It 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. 

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 person to this alternative: he must believe in Christ—or eternally perish! 

This is the offence of the cross!