We dare not hope to be accepted with God because of anything that is in us by nature, or may be infused into us by grace: we are accepted in the Beloved, and apart from Him we look not to be accepted. Even what the Holy Ghost works in us does not furnish us with any merit that we can plead, for it is a gift of grace, and no part of our justifying righteousness. We rest upon Jesus Christ crucified (His imputed righteousness, atoning blood, and mediation alone), and not upon our faith, repentance, or prayers.