ROMANS 5:1-2 PEACE WITH GOD The results of being declared righteous (justified) on the principle of faith begins with this wonderful statement, "peace with God." This does not have to do with our feelings of calmness or of tranquility. This is reconciliation between the Almighty God and rebellious, sinful subjects. We were made by God and for Him but sin had made us dead to God. Now we look back to the fact that we have been declared righteous by God who is eternally the same. This doesn't have to do with the state of our Christian life. This does mean that there is no more hostility between us because our sin has been fully judged and God is completely satisfied with the sacrifice Christ made for us on the cross. God will not charge us again for sin, and Christ will never have to suffer for sin again. There is nothing now blocking our relationship with God.
There has been "peace made by the blood of His cross," and our standing is in grace without qualifications being added to that. This place of highest privilege is close to God Himself. We are not enemies or aliens, but friends and "children of God by faith in Jesus Christ." At the coming of Christ, we will see Him glorified in all the glory of God, and we will be glorified together with Him.
Faith, hope and love are basic to the Christian life. Our relationship with God begins with faith. This makes us aware that we are delivered from the consequences of sin and the past by the death of Christ as our Substitute. Hope looks ahead with confidence into the future and the fulfillment of the promises of God. This challenges and motivates us, as we learn what God has in His mind for us. The love of God has been poured into us and makes it possible for us to reach out and connect with others as the Holy Spirit guides us. These three are at the heart of the Christian life and peace with God makes this a reality to us.
Through Christ we have peace with God; we are justified by faith. We also have access to Him always through Christ, because of our standing in grace. There is joy and rejoicing in Christ and the great blessing of peace. The conflict because of our sin against God, now finally and truly has ceased.
Our standing is permanent, we can't be more secure - For our acceptance is in Him, not what we might endure. The relief from the fear of the future motivates us to live alway - Looking forward to seeing Christ glorified in a coming day.
Through Christ we have salvation from the wrath to come. God will not charge us again with what He laid on His Son. We have been saved from wrath, that is our permanent standing. Being justified by His blood means there are no other claims demanding.
Peace is a fact between the saved sinner and God. We have been reconciled to Him by the power of Christ's blood. This fact is established and won't have to be brought up again. Our access to God has been opened through Him.
Now we rejoice in God's glory and what we know is to come. By faith we have come into this position by the authority of His name. When we pray, He hears as we seek to honor our Lord. When we read the scriptures, we learn of Him through the Word.
These blessings all together are some of the blessings of peace. We can appreciate and enjoy them because of our standing in grace. The glory of God sometimes seems before us to shine. What a joy and contentment it is to know this peace is mine.
"Eternal God, my Gracious Father, for some reason this morning I am very conscious of being a man of eternity. There seems to be a real uplifting of my soul when I consider Thy glory, which shall be revealed, and which is already in my heart. I praise and honor Thee this morning. In His Name, Amen."