And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, (Colossians 1:20)
Peace with God has already been made. In fact, peace with God was accomplished by the blood of Christ 2000 years ago. Because of the blood, we have peace with God (Romans 5:1) and we also enjoy its child, the peace of God (Colossians 3:15).
Faith sees the fullness of Christ’s sacrifice and embraces the fact that peace with God has already been declared. “Perhaps,” says someone, “I need to get some more faith for, as I examine my level of faith, I find it is not too high.” Oh no … you are on the wrong track altogether. Faith does not examine itself. Let me ask you, does your eye look in or out? Well of course it looks out, it does not examine itself. Faith is like this-- it is always looking outward to the exalted Christ and His finished work.
Dr. F. B. Myer was once speaking to a lady about receiving salvation by faith. She couldn’t understand his message and told him so. At tea with her a day later, he suddenly turned and said, "Madam, may I please have a cup of tea?" She looked at his table and said, "Why, Dr. Meyer, you already have a cup of tea." A little later he said again, "Will you please give me a cup of tea?" She replied, "Why, Dr. Meyer, don't you see, you have a cup of tea right there at your plate." In a few moments, he said again, "Please give me a cup of tea! I'm so tired, and I need it." Utterly bewildered, his hostess started to speak, then caught her breath. After a moment she said, "Oh, Dr. Meyer, I see it all now. What you mean is that the Lord's blessing, power, and forgiveness are right here before me, yet I am asking and asking for it, instead of taking it and finding peace through the shed blood of our Lord Jesus Christ."
If Christ has died in your place, if He has poured out His blood for you, if He has risen and ascended into heaven, there to sit as your representative, then you are at peace. The war between you and God is over! No amount of you trying to feel this will improve your standing with God.
There is no one else to trust … faith sees this. Christ Jesus is our salvation. He is the One who poured out His blood. To deal with God, we must, therefore, deal with the Lord Jesus. Since Christ has been sacrificed for us, we are invited to draw near in full assurance of faith (Hebrews 10:22). Even though we are flawed, it is safe for us to draw near to God. There is no war because of the blood.
Some years ago, a gospel minister called in to see an aged lady, Grandma Murray. She told the minister that she had been trying to ‘make her peace’ with God and had devoted her life to religious duties and righteous living. In spite of all this, she had no peace. The minister sat down with her, and read our text, Colossians 1:20, “And, having made peace through the blood of his cross.” He then looked at her and said with a kindly voice, “My dear Mrs Murray, you are trying to perform a hopeless task. You are trying to do what has already been done.” The aged woman seemed amazed and said, “Let me read that for myself.” The preacher sat in silence while she slowly read the text. “Aye,” she said, “It’s strange how I never saw that before, and it was there all the time. I’ve been trying to do what Christ has already done long, long ago. What a stupid mistake! I might as well have tried to make another universe. But blessed be His name, I see that He has done it so I am satisfied with Him and His work, and I rest my soul upon it.”
And that’s the Gospel Truth!