What does the work of the cross give believers besides justification?
By virtue of the work of the cross, believers are justified—declared just as if they never sinned—and they also receive eternal life. That eternal life is already within them, cannot be touched by physical death, and produces a spiritual joy that is unspeakable, distinct from happiness tied to material circumstances.
Les teaches that because of the work of the cross, believers are not only justified—declared just as if they had never sinned—but they also have eternal life already within them. He points to believers over the ages who could go to a martyr’s death with no fear or trepidation, often singing hymns and praying, because while men can burn the flesh and take physical life, they cannot touch eternal life. Les also explains that this eternal life produces joy, a spiritual attribute distinct from happiness, which depends on material surroundings. Even when believers are not happy or do not enjoy the world’s goods, they can have joy that is unspeakable.