We are slow to receive it, and
preachers are often afraid to proclaim it, but there is blessed comfort for
sinners in the gospel. God commands his servants twice to proclaim that
comfort. He says, emphatically, "Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith
your God." And he tells us plainly that THE ONLY SOURCE OF COMFORT FOR
SINNERS IS THE GOSPEL OF EFFECTUALLY ACCOMPLISHED REDEMPTION. "Speak
ye comfortably to
YOUR WARFARE
IS ACCOMPLISHED. By the sacrifice of his own beloved Son, God has ended his
controversy with you. God reconciled his people to himself, satisfying his law
and justice in the life and death of Christ as the sinner's Substitute (II Cor.
He sends his Spirit, applying the blood of Christ to the hearts of men by the gospel, creating faith and reconciling our hearts to him by irresistible grace and power (Col. 1:21). Peace was made by the blood of Christ. Peace is received and enjoyed by faith in that blood.
YOUR INIQUITY
IS PARDONED. God has fully put away the sins of all his people by the
sacrifice of his Son (Heb.
YOU HAVE RECEIVED OF THE LORD'S HAND DOUBLE FOR ALL YOUR SINS. The Justice of God which demanded your eternal ruin has been satisfied by the blood of Christ; so that in Christ you are not only pardoned, but also made perfectly righteous by Divine imputation. Rather than bring an enemy of God, subject to and deserving his wrath, grace has made you an heir of God, fully deserving of all his benefits in Christ.