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“Being Now Justified”

Romans 5:1-5

 

Having stated and proved the doctrine of justification by grace, by the righteousness of Christ made ours, the Apostle Paul goes on in this chapter to show us the blessings that belong to us in Christ Jesus, “being now justified by his blood.” It is written, “Godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come” (1 Timothy 4:8).

 

Peace

The first of the blessings belonging to sinners saved by the grace of God, redeemed by the blood of Christ and born again by his Spirit, “being now justified by his blood,” is described in verse 1 as “peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” — “Therefore being justified, by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” This is a privilege rarely known among men, even among multitudes who profess to be believers.

Is that the case with you? Do you profess faith in Christ, but yet have no peace with God? Do you lack the full satisfaction of perfect justification in the sight of God? Are you still in a state of uncertainty and anxiety about your eternal destiny? Do you crave the enjoyment of that sweet and holy calm which the Apostle here calls “peace with God”? I call on you now to believe God, trust the Lord Jesus Christ, lean your soul upon the crucified Savior, and find the joy of this “peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

When God the Holy Ghost applies the blood of atonement to the guilty conscience and enables the sinner to trust Christ, by faith, we lay hold on eternal life, appropriate to ourselves the righteousness of Christ, and bathe our souls in the fountain of his blood.

Trusting Christ, being justified freely by his grace, we have peace with God by faith in him. The perfections of God no longer terrify us. The law of God holds no curse against us. Justice is satisfied, having sheathed its dreadful sword in our Savior’s side. Reconciliation is ours by the blood of his cross.

All this peace faith accepts with joy. Our souls have now been brought into perfect agreement with God regarding his plan of salvation. In Christ, “being now justified by his blood,” we have sweet communion with God through Jesus Christ our Redeemer.

The same faith which accepts and puts on the perfect righteousness of Christ for justification brings the soul into holy intimacy with all the persons and perfections of Deity; and by the gift of that faith all the blessings of the covenant of grace are sealed to our souls by the Spirit of God.

This blessed privilege is to be obtained through our Lord Jesus Christ alone, leaving no room for saints, sinners, church, priests, preachers, or sacraments to claim any merit in the matter of justification and the enjoyment of peace. Jesus, and Jesus only, is the Mediator between God and men.

May God the Holy Ghost give you faith in Christ and this wonderful peace that faith possesses, that holy calm, that divine tranquility, that sweet peace which is enjoyed by the justified soul, standing complete in the righteousness of Christ, requiring no merit but the merit of Christ, satisfied with that one Mediator, that one Great High Priest, and that one Advocate on High that God accepts!

 

Firm Standing

The next blessing resulting from free and full justification, known and felt in the heart, is a firm standing in the state of grace, into which we have found access to God. — “By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God” (v. 2)

He who brings poor sinners into a state of grace keeps them in grace. Our standing in grace does not depend upon our faithfulness to God, but upon God’s faithfulness to us. Both the present peace and the permanent standing of God’s elect are secure, secure as God himself. — “Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it” (1 Thessalonians 5:24; Psalm 125:1; 37:23-24; Job 17:9; Proverbs 24:16; Micah 7:8; John 10:26-28).

Grace is an incorruptible thing. It lives and abides forever. And the soul that gains access to the state of grace, by regeneration and effectual calling, has passed from death unto life, and shall not come into condemnation. Thus taught the Son of God (John 5:24).

 

Rejoicing in Hope

Next, “being now justified by his blood,” God’s saints, standing in grace, “rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” Grace and glory are so inseparably connected that where God gives the one he always gives the other (Psalm 84:11). Every recipient of grace may, and should, with confident assurance, rejoice in the hope of the glory of God, because the faithfulness and love of God are pledged that our hope shall never make us ashamed. The hope of glory is the steadying stay of our souls and staff for our pilgrimage. Justification opens the door to peace. Peace gives us access to the grace of God and to the God of grace. That access to grace and to God gains a firm standing that indulges in holy joy. And that holy joy is filled with the expectation and prospect of eternal glory.

 

Glory in Tribulations

In verses 3-5, we see that, “being now justified by his blood,” God’s people in this world glory in tribulations under the influence of the love shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost.

The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts when God the Holy Spirit gives us faith in Christ, assuring us that we are the children of God, assuring us that we are loved of God (Galatians 4:4-6). — That is peace!

Grace keeps us relying upon and communing with God in Christ, under a sweet sense of free and full justification and acceptance in the one only sacrifice for sin, Christ Jesus. — This is peace!

 

 

 

Don Fortner

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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