fruit or result of peace found, not the way to it, or the price paid for it.
But the hard labor is fruitless. It does not pacify the conscience or
assure him of pardon, without which there can be no peace.
4. By being very religious. He does not know that true religion is the
fruit or result of peace found, not the way to it, or the price paid for it.
He may be on his knees from morn to night, and may make long
fastings and vigils, or prosecute his devotional performances till body
and soul are worn out; but all will not do. Peace is as far off as ever.
He wants peace; but he takes his own way of getting it, not God's. He
thinks there is a resting-place; but he overlooks the free love that said,
"Come unto me, and I will give you rest." (2) The peace of the cross, what
is it? What does it do for us?
What is it? It is peace of conscience; peace with God; peace with the law
of God; peace with the holiness of God. It is reconciliation, friendship,
fellowship; and all this in a way which prevents the dread or possibility of
future variance, or distance, or condemnation. For it is not simply peace,
but the peace of the cross; peace extracted from the cross; peace founded on
and derived from what the cross reveals, and what the cross has done. It is
peace whose basis is forgiveness, "no condemnation." It is peace which
comes from our knowledge of the peace-making work of Calvary. It is true
peace; sure peace; present peace; righteous peace; divine peace; heavenly
peace; the peace of God; the peace of Christ; complete peace, pervading the
whole being.
What does it do for us?
1. It calms our storms. In us tempests rage perpetually. The storms of
the unforgiven spirit are the most fearful of all: the whirlwind,
earthquake, rushing blast, lightning, raging waves,-these are the