" it is especially the love of God shown in the cross that turns and transforms the hearts of sinners. In the horrifying torture and crucifixion of Jesus we see the highest proof of the highest love.41 His bleeding makes our hearts bleed, and his shame makes us ashamed. In the cross we see a divine disgust at sin that makes sin appalling in our eyes too.42 But further, through the cross we see a love so livid that it pierces our apathy and overwhelms our desire for other things. Sinners, Spurgeon said, are naturally held back from God by lack of desire for him; “but the cross will breed desire. They are held back by love of sin; but the cross will make them hate the sin that crucified the Saviour.”43 The cross is the quintessence of that love which makes us love (1 John 4:19). "

― Michael Reeves , Spurgeon on the Christian Life: Alive in Christ (Theologians on the Christian Life)