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CHAPTER II.

OUR PEACE.

"God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself.” 2 COR. v. 19.

WE often hear of sin; and we often speak of the Lord Jesus Christ as our Saviour. But it does not necessarily follow that we understand the miseries caused by sin; or that we realize our need of Him who came to save us. And, if we would benefit by sickness, we must first make sure that we have gained some idea of the love of God in undoing the work of sin, and thus "reconciling the world unto Himself."

Our Blessed Lord, with almost His last breath upon the Cross, cried out "It is finished." He had not only lived the life of example, and proclaimed the good news of the Kingdom of God, but He had finished the work which He came to do. He had offered Himself as the "Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the

world "-as "the full, perfect and sufficient Sacrifice for the sins of the whole world.”

But do we understand the meaning of this Sacrifice, and why it was necessary, and what it has effected?

Perhaps we sometimes wonder why the Old Testament records so many directions of the Law of Moses about Sacrifice, with all its laborious ordinances and multitude of ceremonies.

But we shall wonder no more when we have gained the idea that these things were intended to teach mankind the results of sin.

The fall of Adam and Eve proved at once the sad results of sin, in that it caused them to be driven out of Paradise. On the one hand they felt the result in themselves, and tried to hide themselves for shame; and, on the other hand, they found that their position was changed with respect to God, and that they could no longer be allowed to enjoy the near Presence of God, because their sin separated them from Him. And the Law of Moses worked out these truths more clearly, teaching first the pollution brought upon the sinner himself, and secondly the need of atonement that he might be reconciled unto God.

But the Law of Moses could do little more than teach these things. It could not really provide a remedy for sin.

"It is not possible

goats should take

On

that the blood of bulls and away sin." The Law could neither make the sinner himself righteous; nor reconcile man unto God. It could only teach man his need. the other hand, our Blessed Lord came to do what the Law had pointed out as necessary for the reconciliation of man with God. And when we understand this, the meaning of the Sacrifice upon the Cross becomes clear. We see why it was necessary. We see what it has effected.

When we think that one single act of sin was sufficient to separate Adam and Eve from God, we may gain some faint idea of the greatness of the barrier between God and man, which had been formed by the countless sins of the nations who by degrees had lost the knowledge of God, and had become "enemies unto God through wicked works."

See then the work of Christ our Saviour. He came to break down this barrier-this "middle wall of partition "-and so to bring us to God. "God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself." And when the cry went up "It is

finished," the work of reconciliation was effected. The Atonement was made. There was Peace in place of enmity. The separation between God and man was healed. "For He is our Peace." He "made Peace by the Blood of His Cross." "And now in Christ Jesus we who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the Blood of Christ."

It follows that the knowledge of the love of God in Christ is the foundation, on which all Christian learning must be based.

We want peace with God. But we cannot make Peace. The very Law of God respecting sacrifices could not bring Peace. It could only point out what was wanted. All means that man could use were proved to be vain. Then the Son of God Himself said, "Lo, I come, to do Thy Will, O God." And He has made Peace. He, Who is "the Prince of Peace" thus describes His own work, "Peace I leave with you, My Peace I give unto you." "The chastisement of our Peace was upon Him, and with His stripes we are healed."

Henceforth Peace with God is within reach of Sinners though we be and rebellious against God through transgression of His com

every one.

mands, One has made Peace for us.

The atone

ment which man could not make for himself has been made for him. The penalty has been paid for all-even for all the sins of the whole world. And the good news is published for every one, "God so loved the world that He gave His only Begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting Life."

Prayer for Peace.

GRANT, we beseech Thee, merciful Lord, to Thy

faithful people pardon and peace, that they may be cleansed from all their sins, and serve Thee with a quiet mind; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Collect for Twenty-first Sunday after Trinity.)

O God, whose blessed Son was manifested that He might destroy the works of the devil, and make us the sons of God, and heirs of eternal life; Grant us, we beseech Thee, that, having this hope, we may purify ourselves, even as He is pure; that, when He shall appear again with power and great glory, we may be made like unto Him in His eternal and glorious kingdom; where with Thee, O Father, and Thee, O Holy Ghost, He liveth and reigneth ever one God, world without end. Amen.

(Collect for Sixth Sunday after Epiphany.)

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