September 16

For He Himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has torn down the dividing wall of hostility — Eph 2:14 BSB

“He is our peace.” This peace naturally flows from being reconciled and brought near by the blood of Christ. Sin has not only made us enemies to God but has made God an enemy to us. How can there be peace between us while we remain mutual enemies? Peace exists between friends, not foes. During this state of hostility and warfare, there is no real peace, nor can there be any peace that is felt or enjoyed. But when the cause of the war is removed, peace comes—first in reality, and then in experience. Christ has made peace through the blood of his cross (Colossians 1:20). There is now no enmity on God’s part, for his enmity was a ‘legal’ one. God always loved his people in Christ, and since he is unchanging, he never hated them. But like a judge who must be an enemy to a criminal, even if that criminal is his own son, so God, as Judge and Lawgiver, was an enemy to his elect when they were seen as lawbreakers.

But once the law was fulfilled, and all its breaches atoned for by the obedience and death of his dear Son, this legal enmity was removed, and God's anger against sin and the sinner was pacified. Since sin has been put away, the cause of this legal enmity has been entirely removed.

When we believe in the Son of God and receive the atonement by his precious blood, there is no longer any enmity on our side either. Instead, the goodness, mercy, and love of God soften our hearts into the sweetest humility, affection, and love toward him.