THERE are many who would shrink from the idea of deliberately and avowedly calling in question the efficacy of the blood of Christ, who, nevertheless, have not settled peace. Such persons profess to be quite assured of the sufficiency of the blood, if only they were sure of an interest therein, if only they had the right kind of faith.
There are many precious souls in this unhappy condition. They are occupied with their interest and their faith, instead of with Christ’s blood, and God’s Word. In other words, they are looking at self, instead of out at Christ. This is not faith, and, as a consequence, they have not peace.
We are ever prone to look at something in, or connected with ourselves, as necessary, in order to make up, with the blood of Christ, the groundwork of our peace. There is a sad lack of clearness and soundness on this vital point, as is evident from the doubts and fears with which so many of the people of God are afflicted.
We are apt to regard the fruits of the Spirit in us, rather than the work of Christ for us, as the foundation of peace. The Holy Ghost is never set forth in Scripture as being that on which our peace reposes.
The Holy Ghost did not make peace, but Christ did. The Holy Ghost is not said to be our peace, but Christ is, God did not send preaching peace by the Holy Ghost, but by Jesus Christ. It is the blood of Christ which gives peace, imparts perfect justification, divine righteousness, purges the conscience, brings us into the holiest of all, justifies God in receiving the believing sinner, and constitutes our title to all the dignities, the joys, and the glories of heaven.
The Holy Ghost reveals, makes us to know, enjoy, and feed upon Christ; He bears witness to Christ; He takes of the things of Christ and shows them unto us. He is the power of communion, the seal, the witness, the earnest, the unction. In short, His blessed operations are absolutely essential. Without Him we can neither see, hear, know, feel, experience, enjoy, nor exhibit aught of Christ. This is plain; yet notwithstanding all this, the work of the Spirit is not the ground of peace. He never teaches a soul to lean on His work for peace in the presence of God. His office is to speak of Christ.
W. T. P. W.