TEXT: EPHESIANS 2:13
''But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.''
Gracious and just is God, He has not left the sons of men in the dark respecting how He stands with them: in black and white, on the pages of scripture, He has made His love known to all. In the death of Christ, God has stretched a right hand of fellowship with any who longs for a lasting and soul-gratifying relationships. God is not far from any one of us who are in Christ Jesus. It must be a grief to God and Christ to see a saint eyeing a fellow man to speak to God on his behalf, when the blood has brought him near to God. Of what use is our reconciliation to God by the blood of Christ, if not to give us once and for all, a ground to look God in the eye and say, 'my Father! My God! My friend!'? Friends, we have an audience with the Father by the meritorious work of Christ. He cheats his own soul, who looks for another man to send to God for a help. God desires no man to come to Him for another, every man can approach Him for himself. In this act of Christ, an example and doctrine is left for the Saints: that it is not a light thing or price to bring souls near to God. The road that leads to God, repentance, reconciliation and fellowship with God, is full of malicious spirits, with drawn sword and cudgels to prevent the soul of men from getting to that hobour of peace. Many swim thither in blood and fire. As Christ brought us near to God by His blood, thus must we be armed to let out our blood in the salvation of the Nations. The gospel came to us by the blood of selfless persons, and doubtlessly, it must get to others by the blood of our comforts and ease. Christian man, it is life for life! This is the way of the gospel! Friendship with God springs from the blood of Christ and nurtured by same. The Saints' sloth and desire for ease, let into hell more souls! Hence the gospel of ease and soft apparel, is the gospel hissed out of the mouth of the old dragon to lure more souls into hell. Our services must be stained with the blood of our ease and comfort ere God received it.