AN old man who was standing beside the grave of his son was asked by a gentleman, “Did your son make his peace with God?”
“He had none to make,” was the father’s reply.
The strange answer surprised the inquirer, who, supposing the old man did not hear distinctly, repeated his question, “Did your son make his peace with God?”
“He had none to make,” was again the reply.
Calmly the old Christian father explained to his listener that his son had rested his soul on the work and person of Jesus Christ: that peace had been made for him, a sinner, by the blood of the cross. Yes, Christ was the Peacemaker, given by God to make peace for His own honor and for the guilty sinner. Our works fit us for hell, His work fits us for glory. Christ made peace (Eph. 2:1515Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; (Ephesians 2:15)) by the blood of His cross (Col. 1:2020And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. (Colossians 1:20)): Christ preaches peace to Jew and Gentile by the Holy Ghost (Eph. 2:1717And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. (Ephesians 2:17)): He carries peace to His own as the fruit of His victory (John 20:1919Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. (John 20:19)), and we believers have it (Rom. 5:11Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: (Romans 5:1)), and we can never lose peace, for “He is our peace” (Eph. 2:1414For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; (Ephesians 2:14)). True, our souls may lose the blessed realization of it, but the peace itself—NEVER. “We HAVE peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Believer on the Lord Jesus Christ, we do not ask you, “Have you peace with God? Have you eternal life in the Son of God? Are you saved?” That would be to throw a suspicion upon the Word of God; to doubt Him who is the Truth. Believer on Jesus, you may begin to doubt and fear when the crown falls from the brow of the Man on the throne of God. The peace of a sinner resting on the work of Jesus is as enduring as the character of God, and as stable as His throne.
Trembling soul, peace has been made—peace is now preached to you. God has found a ransom. Are you toiling, working, weeping, and striving thus to enter into peace with God? Most fruitless is your task. Jesus has died—has made peace: your tears can never wash away a spot of sin; sins are washed away only by the precious blood of Christ. Hear the words of the Victor announcing His victory over sin, Satan, and hell: “It is finished.” Rest your soul on those words.