THE CROSS OF CHRIST

"The preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved, it is the power of God" -- 1 Corinthians 1:18

Devotion 6 of 13

PEACE THROUGH THE BLOOD OF THE CROSS

"And, 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"(Col 1:20 KJV).

Apart from Christ, men are at war with God. By nature, there is hostility between God and man. Their natures are different. They think differently. Their ways are opposed to each other (Isa 55:89).

Scripture calls this condition "enmity" (Rom 8:7; James 4:4). We are informed that the law of God is what provoked this "enmity," bringing out the hostility that already existed between God and man (Eph 2:15-16). It demanded that men do what they did not want to do, and refrain from doing what they wanted to do. It demanded that they think and conduct themselves like God, and condemned them because they did not. Because of this condition, the solemn pronouncement is this: "There is no peace, saith the LORD, unto the wicked" (Isa 48:22; 57:21).

Earlier in history, God indicted false prophets for slightly healing the hurt of His people with their empty words, "Peace, peace; when there is no peace" (Jer. 6:14; 8:11; Ezek 13:16). Humanity seemed hopelessly estranged from the Lord.

Under the direction of the wicked one, people were seduced by means of inferior theological walls and weak arguments. The prophet Ezekiel stated it this way: "Because, even because they have seduced my people, saying, Peace; and there was no peace; and one built up a wall, and, lo, others daubed it with untempered mortar" (Ezek 13:10). Thus, a false sense of security was developed.

So widespread was this condition when the Son of God entered into the world that it is written, "The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up" (Matt4:16). The "region and shadow of death" lacked peace with God. "Gross darkness" had covered the people, requiring a breakthrough of Divine light (Isa 60:2).

Jesus made peace

Jesus came to rectify this situation. He came to "make peace" between man and God; to break down the wall of hostility erected by disobedience and hardheartedness. This imperative peace was accomplished in a unique way. Jesus did not negotiate terms of peace. He did not moderate a caucus between the Living God and His unresponsive"offspring." Jesus "MADE peace through the blood of His cross" (Col 1:20). This peace is the result of His work. It is the effect of the voluntary offering of Himself to God on the behalf of alienated humanity.

When, therefore, I contemplate the cross, I think of peace with God. Those accepting the atonement wrought on that cross can reason in this manner. There is no more hostility between God and me. Jesus has taken the antagonism away by expiating, or putting an end to, my sins. The only thing between man and God was sin--and Jesus took that away, justifying us by His blood (Rom 5:9), and bringing God and man together in peace.

How glorious the affirmation: "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Rom 5:1, NIV). No more antagonism between the believer and God! Exonerated from guilt, we come to a welcoming Father who finds great delight in blessing us. We are no longer His enemies--and all because of the cross. That peace was "made" through the "blood of HIS cross!" Through faith in Christ, it can be enjoyed, and the benefits of it realized in measures that transcend your fondest imagination.

PRAYER POINT: Father, I thank You that I am welcome in Your presence, and that Your thoughts toward me are for good. In Jesus' name, grant me grace to live within the perimeter of this marvelous peace.

-- Tomorrow: RECONCILIATION ACCOMPLISHED --