SCRIPTURE: Romans (NIV) 5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.
OBSERVATION: The emphasis on chapter four was on the faith of Abraham. At the end of chapter four, the author applies the faith concept to us. Chapter five begins, “Therefore, since WE … “
In the first five verses: WE have been justified, WE have peace, WE
We have all this, not because of our works, but our faith. We have been justified through faith!
Here in verse one, we read that our justification came by faith. This is not the promise of justification that we will receive at a later time, but what we have presently. Along with being cleansed and made as though we had never sinned comes peace. Our sins destroyed any hope we might have had regarding peace with God, but through the Lord Jesus Christ and His work on the cross, we have peace. Again, this is not something that we will be given in the future, but something we have now in the present!
APPLICATION: We have peace when Jesus Christ becomes “our Lord.” When He has the power of decision, the power of directing, we have peace. He alone, through His Holy Spirit, can establish peace and maintain peace with God. It is by our faith placed in Jesus Christ that we enjoy freely the riches of God plan for our lives. We are not working or struggling to enter this place of blessing. This is not a progressive attainment. We are not in the process of climbing the mountain to gain God’s favor. We are presently standing on the mountain top. The action is complete. The struggle is over! The action was completed on the cross and it was over when Jesus cried, “It is finished!”
PRAYER: Lord, with my faith in you, I have great peace. I have confidence in what you have provided for me. Amen
Pastor Leon
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