"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."
Romans 5:1
Part 2
Yesterday we learned:
“Therefore being justified by faith,”
Without faith, we cannot be justified. Justification cannot come by our works, but only by faith in the finished work of Jesus.
“We have peace with God.”
“We,” that is all those who are justified by faith, have peace with God. It is not hard to understand why “peace with God” is so essential to the saved sinner. Before salvation, we sinners are said to be the enemies of God. What the sinner loves, and what controls him is the opposite of everything that God stands for.
“Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be,” (Romans 8:7).
“Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God,” (James 4:4).
Through the Bible, the idea of “peace with God” speaks of the personal relationship between God and His child. The sin is dealt with, the barrier is broken down, nothing stands between the believer and his God. Once the enemy of God, now a friend.
“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid,” (John 14:27).
“The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:),” (Acts 10:36).
“For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace,” (Romans 8:6).
“And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever,” (Isaiah 32:17).
“Through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Our peace with God has come about only through the intervention of Jesus Christ. He is the “Mediator between God and man” (1 Timothy 2:5). “His passion and death being the sole cause of our reconciliation to God.”1
What a Wonderful Savior2
By Elisha Hoffman
1 Christ has for sin atonement made –
What a wonderful Savior!
We are redeemed, the price is paid –
What a wonderful Savior!
Refrain
What a wonderful Savior is Jesus, my Jesus!
What a wonderful Savior is Jesus, my Lord!
2 I praise Him for the cleansing blood –
What a wonderful Savior!
That reconciled my soul to God –
What a wonderful Savior! [Refrain]
3 He cleansed my heart from all its sin –
What a wonderful Savior!
And now He reigns and rules therein –
What a wonderful Savior! [Refrain]
4 He gives me overcoming pow’r –
What a wonderful Savior!
And triumph in each trying hour –
What a wonderful Savior! [Refrain]
1. Adam Clarke, Adam Clarke’s Commentary on the Bible, the electronic version in eSword.
2. “What a Wonderful Savior,” Author: Elisha A. Hoffman (1891), Copyright Status, Public Domain.