AN infidel the other day became very angry at being told of one who had "peace with God." He said it was false; that he did not believe that any one had it.
This infidel is not singular in thus thinking; for even many professing Christians discredit the idea of present peace with God. Some there are, in fact, who systematically preach that no one can have the assurance of salvation till he come to die.
Not a few also are so blinded as to pray that the sins of their dead friends may be forgiven, forgetful of the fact that as the tree falls, so it lies, and after death the judgment. (Eccl. 11:33If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth: and if the tree fall toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there it shall be. (Ecclesiastes 11:3); Heb. 9:2727And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: (Hebrews 9:27).) ECC 11:33If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth: and if the tree fall toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there it shall be. (Ecclesiastes 11:3) HEB 9:2727And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: (Hebrews 9:27)
It is well to notice that the precious words at the head of this article follow the glorious statement that Jesus “was delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification." Then it is added, “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." It is because of the accomplished work of Jesus that we have peace. It is not said” we hope to have it," or “we shall try to get it," or “we trust we shall make, peace." Oh, no!' the statement is positive:" WE HAVE peace with God." Nothing can be more decided.
“Peace with God," then, is unquestionably a present blessing, to be known and enjoyed now by the one who has faith. Thank God, many realize it, and no anxious soul should rest till he can look up joyfully, and say, "I have peace with God; yes, I HAVE it.”
If it be inquired, What is the true ground of peace? we reply, that the only ground is the blood of Christ. Christ “made peace through the blood of His cross." (Col. 1:2020And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. (Colossians 1:20)) COL 1:2020And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. (Colossians 1:20). The fact is, that God sent forth His Son to accomplish this work, for “He was delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification.”
Does some anxious soul inquire, “How can I have this peace? I long for it, I would do anything to obtain it. Do tell me, for my distressed soul is often ready to exclaim, ' What must I do to be saved? '”
The answer of Scripture is that it can be had only in the; way of faith: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved" (Acts 16:3131And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (Acts 16:31)) ACT 16:3131And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (Acts 16:31). Again in this verse we read, " Being justified by faith [or, in the way of faith ], we have peace with God." You cannot possibly have peace with God' in the way of works. As Scripture says, " Not of works, lest any man should boast."(Eph. 2:99Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:9).) EPH 2:99Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:9) And again," By the deeds of the law shall no flesh be justified in His sight” (Rom. 3:2020Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. (Romans 3:20)) ROM 3:2020Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. (Romans 3:20).
When a person knows that God now accounts him righteous in the way of faith, and justifies him by the blood of His Son, how can he but have peace? But it is not joy and peace before you believe, but joy and peace in believing. The difference is very important. As long as a person is looking at his feelings, and looking for feelings, he cannot find peace; but when he looks to CHRIST) and believes what GOD SAYS, he has peace with God.”
“But," said someone the other day, "do not you think that if I believed, and lived a godly life too, I should be saved?”
A common question, no doubt, but it betrays a fatal mistake. Scripture says none are justified by works, either before or after he believes, but that believers are "now justified by His blood," and in the way of faith (Rom. 5:1, 91Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: (Romans 5:1)
9Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. (Romans 5:9)) ROM 5:1-91Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. 6For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. (Romans 5:1‑9).
Besides, if it needed a godly life to justify a man before God, then Christ has not done a finished work, and no one at all could be justified. It is clear that the believer is justified, not partly by a godly life, and partly by Christ; oh! no: but justified in the way of faith, and wholly and entirely through our Lord Jesus Christ. "Being justified by FAITH we have peace with God.”
“I cannot understand it," say some. "Let us argue the point," say others.
As to arguing the point, remember that God speaks to us in His word, not for us to argue about, but to hear what He says, and believe it.
No man ever yet reasoned himself into peace with God, but many have reasoned themselves out of it. Give up, then, all vain reasonings. Hearken to God's Word. "Hear, and your soul shall live" (Isa. 55:33Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David. (Isaiah 55:3)) ISA 55:33Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David. (Isaiah 55:3).
When you believe God, you will draw nigh to Him through our Lord Jesus Christ. You will see clearly that it is not your works, nor feelings, nor reasonings, but through being justified by faith, that you have peace. Yes, you have it. You are not hoping to have it, or trying, or intending to have it. Oh! no: you " have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." You can now think of your sins, your past guilt, and be at peace; not with yourself, not perhaps with all men, much as you may seek it, but at " peace with God”! And all" through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Now a few words on the authority for my having peace.
I ask a person if he has peace with God.
He replies, “I felt very happy one night, and have been so ever since.”
But this statement is unsatisfactory, for many “feel happy," as they say, who know nothing of peace with God. But even some true believers have uncertainty, have advanced no further than hoping they will have peace, because they are not grounded on the sole authority for faith and peace.
For instance, I ask another person if he has peace with God.
He says, “I wish I had; I am often wretched; I look to Christ for salvation, and though now and then I feel somewhat happy, it soon passes off, and I am again greatly distressed.”
He is no doubt a believer; then why has he not peace? It is because he is looking at his feelings and experiences for peace, and lacks the only authority for peace, namely, the written Word of God. The point is not what I think, or I feel, but what GOD SAYS of those who look to the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation; and if God says that I am justified by the blood of Christ, ought not that to be enough? This alone can give certainty.
How do I know, then, that I who trust only in Christ, have peace with God, that every question of sin is settled; and that I am accounted righteous in Christ?
Because God says, “Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
How do I know that all my sins are blotted out?
Thus it is certain that, when I believe, my sins are put away, remitted, never more to be brought against me. As my trust is alone in the Lord Jesus, it would be wicked for me to doubt God, who then tells me that my sins are all blotted out.
How blessed this is! What a solid rest for the heart and conscience! It is not what I think, or what I feel, but WHAT GOD SAYS; and His word endureth forever; it will never pass away.
But this is not all. Peace has been made, and by the gospel peace is proclaimed. There is nothing for you to DO for it, nothing to BE for it, nothing to FEEL for it; but believe, and it is yours.
Believe only. Look with the eye of faith unto the Lord Jesus, and peace is yours. It is not the amount of faith that makes salvation yours, but having the Lord Jesus Christ as the Object of faith, thus taking for Yourself the peace that He has made through the blood of His cross. Then all is yours.
“Can I be sure of it? Where is my authority for it?” you say.
The answer is, WHAT GOD SAYS is the authority; and the word of the living and true God, who cannot deny Himself, declares, "Be it known unto you, therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins; and by Him all that believe are justified from all things" (Acts 13:38, 3938Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: 39And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. (Acts 13:38‑39)) ACT 13:38-3938Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: 39And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. (Acts 13:38‑39).
It is God, then, who says that you who believe, who draw nigh to God through our Lord Jesus, "are justified from all things." Yes, you ARE! It is a present reality. Praise God Happy they who thus know the blood of Christ as the only ground of peace, the exercise of with on the Lord Jesus Christ as the only way of peace; and the Word of God as the wily authority for present and eternal peace with God.