Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ…
Romans 5:1
“Having been justified by faith…” This is perhaps one of the most amazing and encouraging statements that scripture makes. The wording is important here. It does not say that we might be justified by faith. Paul isn’t telling us that we are partially justified by faith. This is not a declaration that we will be justified by faith providing we do everything correctly. No, “having been” is a completed action, one that has already taken place if we have placed our faith in the Person of Jesus Christ and what He has done for us on the cross. And what is the byproduct of placing our faith in Jesus? The answer is a beautiful one…we have peace with God. Again, the wording is important here. It does not say that we might have peace with God rather Paul tells us that after being justified by faith, we have peace with God. Faith, peace, and rest all work together as the perfect byproducts of a life fully trusting in Christ.
So with all of this good news, why is it that some believers seem to live without the peace that comes through faith? I believe there are several reasons.
- Peace will elude us if we question our justification
When we are not assured of our right standing with God, the result can be extremely damaging to our spiritual well being. The security and rest that comes with understanding salvation by faith is essential for us to have peace. I believe that this is why Paul spends so much time declaring that our justification is by faith and not by works. Who could come away from this passage with any other message? Peace comes after we have been justified. And knowing that our right standing with God is not subject to change brings about the peace and rest that God desires for us to experience.
- Peace will elude us if we add something to justification by faith alone
Perhaps we believe in our justification in the present but worry that somehow that standing in Christ could change or be altered. This is what happens when we add to the gospel. When we proclaim the name of Jesus as the means by which we are spiritually transformed and then begin to add to that message observance and obedience to statues, ordinances, and law, we distort the gospel and actually work against the completed, finished work of the cross. Good works come as a result of salvation but are never a means of being saved. For peace to exist in our lives, we must stand firm in the truth of the gospel and not allow ourselves to be slaves again to a legalistic system (Galatians 5:1).
- Peace will elude us if we attempt to embrace the world
Perhaps we know that we are right with God and understand that this has been accomplished through our faith in Jesus. But what, if after we become a Christian, we attempt to maintain a worldly lifestyle, one that opposes the very things of God? The result will be the same as the other two scenarios. We will lack peace in our lives. The world in which we live was created by God but it is the hardness of mankind’s heart that creates the rebellion and distain against Him that seems so prevalent in our culture today. As long as mankind denies the things of God, substituting devotion for Him with that of other things (idols), then there will be division between God and mankind. Proclaiming the name of Jesus and embracing a worldly lifestyle demonstrates spiritual confusion and a lack of understanding one’s identity in Christ. This double-minded approach to life will inevitably result in a lack of peace. Christians are to live lives set apart for the purposes of God.
The question is simple: Are you living in absolute peace with God? If not, review the previous scenarios and talk to God about which one might best describe your situation.
mytwocents.info 