II. THE ENJOYMENT OF THESE BLESSINGS SHOWS THAT WE ARE INDEED CHANGED
now therefore . . verse 19.
1. Christians need assuring of their changed status. We are slow to be convinced of our sinfulness and slow also to be persuaded of our blessings in Christ.
2. It is by exercising these privileges that we best show the change wrought in us. Acts 3:1-10. The lame man’s leaping and walking testified of his healing.
3. Despite the poor earthly circumstances of many of God’s saints, they are possessors of great wealth and privileges. Acts 22:25-29. Citizenship of heaven counts for more! We are members of God’s household and under His care and protection.
Having considered how Christ has accomplished reconciliation between the sinner and God and between the Jew and the Gentile, we move on to consider the benefits that arise out of reconciliation with God.
I. ACCESS TO GOD
1. How glorious is the reconciliation Christ accomplished! Verse 18. “Access unto the Father.” We are ushered into the very presence of the Father. Do we fully recognise this? Do we rightly evaluate this? Do we truly avail of this?
2. Access is through Christ. Not Mary, saints or self-merit but Christ alone. How blasphemous of the RC church to proclaim “new” intermediaries such as “padre Pio”! For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 1 Timothy 2:5. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them, Heb 7:25. Christ appears constantly before His Father representing us and therefore we may at any time approach God. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us, Romans 8:34.
3. Access is by the Spirit. Christ has opened the way but without the grace supplied by the Holy Spirit we could not walk that way, (John 5:7.) We need the HS’s grace to overcome our own weakness and disinclination to pray. Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered, Romans 8:26.
II. CHRIST HAS, MORE IMPORTANTLY, RECONCILED US TO GOD
Verse 16. The division between the Jew and the Gentile was the result of the division between God and the sinner. True peace with men can only come about from reconciliation to God. Loving our neighbour follows on from loving God.
1. Such reconciliation was ever the purpose of Christ. He came to restore the “old friendship” lost through the fall, by His sacrifice, Rev 13:8. (Reconcile = restore to former harmony.)
2. Reconciliation is only through the blood of Christ. It is “by the cross.” Col 1:20. No forgiveness but by the blood, Hebs 9:22.
III. THE GOSPEL IS, IN ESSENCE, THE MESSAGE OF PEACE
“And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.” Ephesians 2:17. That was announced on the Day of Pentecost. “For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call,” Acts 2:39.
1. Christ is speaking irrespective of who does the preaching of the gospel. This is what gives this ordinance such dignity.
2. The offer of peace with God must be made before the sinner may avail of it. What an evil thing it is for minister or people to downgrade preaching.
3. See again the grace of God in that the initiative is His alone. He came to the sinner.
4. The sum of the gospel is peace. Have you the peace of God today?
