PEACE WITH GOD
Romans 5:1 NKJV
1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
This verse speaks to what humanity is looking for: peace with God. The quest for peace has spawned religions and man-made attempts to find this elusive peace. God’s peace is free and available to all, but it’s not accomplished by our efforts.
“Therefore, having been justified by faith.” In chapter four, Paul uses the example of Abraham, who was justified by faith, not by works. Justified is another word for righteous, being made right in God’s sight. There are religions that major in being justified by their works or their own efforts. A few years ago, one of these groups knocked on our door and wanted to talk with us about being right with God. That was a mistake because Joy answered the door. And Joy sweetly presented being justified through faith in Jesus. We noticed when that same group came to our neighborhood a few days later, they skipped our house. As an aside, if anyone tries to convince you that you are not saved because you have not done things their way, show them this verse and ask them to explain justification by faith. They’ll skip you too the next time.
Being made right in God’s sight by faith. Our faith is not in our efforts but in what Jesus did for us on the cross and by His resurrection. Verse 25 of chapter four, realizing that the scriptures were not written in chapters and verses, is connected to our verse for today. Speaking of Jesus, Paul says, “who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification.” Jesus was delivered up to the cross because of the sin of mankind and was raised from the dead to make us right in God’s sight. This is so why the gospel truly is good news. Jesus paid the price for our sins, sins He did not commit, and gave us His righteousness that we did not earn.
So now that we have been justified by faith in Jesus, we now have peace with God. No longer are we separated by sin. No longer are we carrying the sense of guilt and shame that causes us to avoid God. Now we have peace with God. This peace is not a cessation of hostilities; God was not out to get us. But now we have a sense of peace that comes from belonging, from being right before Him. The Weymouth translation says, “Standing then acquitted as the result of faith, let us enjoy peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” I like that last phrase, “let us enjoy peace with God.”
APPLICATION
When we read verses like our verse for today, there are a couple of things to keep in mind. We have to receive these verses by faith. Too often, people are still plagued by their past and the feeling that God is holding past sins against them. This is where we believe in the new birth, that old things are passed away, and we have a new start.
Some people are missing out on peace because of constantly condemning themselves for not being a “good enough” Christian. Again, this is where we trust in the work that Jesus did for us as opposed to our shortcomings. And if you have sinned since becoming a believer, we all do; this is where we ask for and receive God’s forgiveness. We are not “kicked out of the family.” God paid an awesome price for us, and He is not looking to get rid of us. We belong to Him, and He is the God of peace.
PRAYER
Thank You, Lord, for what Jesus did for me. I have put my faith in Him, and I am made right in Your eyes. I am so glad to be a part of Your great family in Your Kingdom where peace rules.