An awareness of our sinfulness puts us in a fearful state of mind, and for good reason –sin must be punished. On the other hand, the acceptance of our Savior produces a greater peace than anything we’ve ever known. The reason for this perfect peace was explained by John Flavel many years ago:
Speaking of the death of Christ he said-— and did he die the violent, painful, shameful, cursed, slow, and lonely death of the cross? Then surely there is forgiveness with God, plenteous redemption for the greatest of sinners, who by faith apply the blood of the cross to their poor guilty souls.
There is sufficient power in the blood of the cross to wash away the greatest sins. Before the efficacy of this blood, guilt vanishes and shrinks away as the shadow before the glorious sun. Every drop of it has a voice, and speaks to the soul that sits trembling under its guilt better things than the blood of Abel. For having enough in it to satisfy God, it must needs have enough in it to satisfy conscience.
Can God exact satisfaction from the blood and death of his own Son, the surety of believers, and yet still demand it from believers? It cannot be.
