But Now in Christ JESUS!
" But now in Christ Jesus , ye, who were sometimes afar off, are made nigh by the blood of Christ ." -Ephesians 2:13 [KJV] If any one were asked, Do you live near the court? Have you free access to his majesty? Did you ever kiss the king’s hand? Who would hesitate one moment for an answer? Consciousness would instantly dictate one. Pray, Is Christian experience so dark and doubtful a matter, that if asked, are you brought nigh to God? Do you live near God? Have you free access to God? That we cannot answer, with some degree of knowledge and certainty. O my dear fellow Christians, though we are brought nigh to God, yet we do not live near Him. Hence our doubt and uncertainty. Our hearts and affections too much rove in the high roads of earthly honour, riches, and pleasures. Here clouds of dust rise. They so dim our sight, and cloud our views, that we can hardly see our way, or tell where we are. Here we are reminded, (1st.) That we “ were sometimes afar off. ”