+IV. His death removed the great barrier to peace.+--This paragraph is very rich and suggestive in the phrases used to explain this blessed result: "Ye are made nigh by the blood of Christ" (ver. 13). "By the cross, having slain the enmity thereby" (ver. 16). "Hath broken down the middle wall of partition, having abolished in His flesh the enmity" (vers. 14, 15). It is not the calm, silent, featureless, helpless, forceless, _peace of death,_ but a living, active, aggressive, ever-conquering peace. The death was the result of agonising struggle and intense suffering, and the peace purchased is a powerfully operating influence in the believing soul. "A peace is of the nature of a conquest; For then both parties nobly are subdued, And neither party loser."--_Shakespeare._ +V. True peace is realised only in Christ.+--"But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ" (ver. 13). "For He is our peace" (ver. 14). "For through Him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father" (ver. 18). "Christ takes us by the hand, and leads us to the Father." Men seek peace in the excitements of worldly pleasures, or in the pursuit of ambitious aims, but in vain. They only stimulate the malady they seek to cure. Christ is the restful centre of the universe, and the sin-tossed soul gains peace only as it converges towards Him. The efforts of men to find rest independent of Christ only reveal their need of Him, and it is a mercy when this revelation and consciousness of need does not come too late. +Lessons.+--1. _Sin is the instigator of quarrels and strife._ 2. _Only as sin is conquered does peace become possible._ 3. _Christ introduces peace by abolishing sin._ _GERM NOTES ON THE VERSES._ Vers. 13-18. _Nearness to God._ +I. They were brought into the Church of God and admitted to equal privileges with His ancient people the Jews.+ +II. They were brought near to God as they were admitted to enjoy the Gospel, which is a dispensation of grace and peace.+ +III. They were brought near to God by the renovation of their souls after His image.+ +IV. This nearness to God implies a state of peace with Him.+ +V. Another circumstance of the nearness is access to God in prayer.+ +VI. Another is the presence of His Holy Spirit.+--Let us be afraid of everything that tends to draw us away from God, and love everything which brings us nearer to Him. Let us seek Him with our whole heart, persevere daily communion with Him, choose His favour as our happiness, His service as our employment, His Word as our guide, His ordinances as our refreshment, His house as the gate of heaven, and heaven as our eternal home.--_Lathrop._ Ver. 13. _Our State by Nature and by Grace._