But now, in Christ Jesus, ye, who sometimes were far off, are made nigh by the blood of Christ. – Ephes. 2:13
If one was asked, "Do you live near the court? Have you free access to the king?" who would hesitate one moment for an answer? Consciousness would instantly dictate one. Pray, is christian experience so dark and doubtful a matter, that, if one asked, "Are you brought nigh to God? Do you live near God? Have you free access to God?" we cannot answer with some degree of knowledge and certainty? O my dear fellow christians, though we are brought nigh to God, yet we do not live near him: hence our doubt and uncertainty: our hearts and affections rove upon the high roads of earthly honor, riches, or pleasures: here clouds of dust arise, which so dim our sight and obscure our views that we can hardly see our way or tell where we are.
Here we are reminded that we "sometimes were far off." Awful distance! As far as possible from God, because so far from original righteousness. Naturally we have no desire to draw nigh to him: nay, Satan had possession of us, ruled in and reigned over us: we loved our master, hated our God, and delighted in our distance from him. O be covered with shame, be clothed with humility, yet lift up your head with joy. For
We are brought nigh to God. O, says one, I wish I was sure of this. It is true in the word, that sinners arc brought nigh to God: you can only know this for yourself by experience. Consider, then, how we are brought nigh. By the blood of Christ: by faith in him we are reconciled to God, justified before God, and at peace with God.
If you are brought nigh to God, Christ is precious to you; your heart is towards him; your hope is fixed on him. His blood is highly prized by you: you look to his atonement for the pardon of your sins, to cleanse your conscience from guilt, and to bring peace to your soul. You delight to draw nigh to God, making his blood and righteousness your only plea for salvation. And you will live near to God in love, and walk before him in holiness: you will hate the things you once loved, and love the things you once hated; in this way only can you enjoy fellowship and peace with God, comfort from God, and assurance that you are a child of God. Says Christ, "If ye love me, keep my commandments," and the Comforter shall "abide with you for ever." John 14:15, 16.
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