Justification # 1

Justification # 1

"Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:1).

There is a word in the text which heads this page which ought to be very precious in the eyes of Englishmen. The word is "peace".

Even in "merry England" we have known something of the horrors of war in the last thirty years. The Crimean war, the Indian mutiny, the Chinese, Abyssinian, and Ashantee wars have left deep marks on the history of our country.

We have tasted some of the tremendous evils which war, however just and necessary, brings in its train. Battle and disease have done their deadly work among our gallant soldiers and sailors. Gentle and simple blood has been shed like water in far distant lands. Many of the best and bravest of our countrymen are lying cold in untimely graves. Hearts in England have been broken by sudden, stunning, crushing bereavements. Mourning has been put on in many a palace, and many a cottage. The light of hundreds of happy firesides has been quenched. Alas, we have learned by bitter experience, what a blessed thing is peace!

I desire, however, to call the attention of all who read this paper to the best of all peace - even peace with God. I would gladly speak to you of a peace which this world can neither give nor take away - a peace which depends on no earthly governments, and needs no carnal weapons, either to win it or preserve it - a peace which is freely offered by the King of kings, and is within the reach of all who are willing to receive it.

There is such a thing as "peace with God." It may be felt and known. My heart's desire and prayer is that you may be able to say with the Apostle Paul, "Being justified by faith, I have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:1).

There are four things which I propose to bring before you, in order to throw light on the whole subject.

1. Let me show you the chief privilege of a true Christian, "he has peace with God."

2. Let me show you the fountain from which that privilege flows, "he is justified."

3. Let me show you the rock from which that fountain springs, "Jesus Christ."

4. Let me show you the hand by which the privilege is made our own, "faith."

Upon each of these four points I have something to say. may the Holy Spirit make the whole subject peace giving to some souls!

First of all, let me show the chief privilege of a true Christian - he has peace with God.

When the apostle Paul wrote his epistle to the Romans, he used five words which the wisest of the heathen could never have used. Socrates, and Plato, and Aristotle, and Cicero, and Seneca were wise people. On many subjects they saw more clearly than most people in the present day. They were people of mighty minds, and of a vast range of intellect. But not one of them could have said as the apostle did, "I have peace with God." 

When Paul used these words, he spoke not for himself only - but for all true Christians. Some of them no doubt have a greater sense of this privilege than others. All of them find an evil principle within, warring against their spiritual welfare day by day. All of them find their adversary, the devil, waging an endless battle with their souls. All of them find that they must endure the enmity of the world. But all, notwithstanding, to a greater or less extent, "have peace with God."

This peace with God is a calm, intelligent sense of friendship with the Lord of heaven and earth. He who has it, feels as if there was no barrier and separation between himself and his holy Maker. He can think of himself as under the eye of an all-seeking Being, and yet, not feel afraid. He can believe that this all-seeing Being beholds him, and yet is not displeased.

Such a man can see death waiting for him, and yet not be greatly moved. He can go down into the cold river - close his eyes on all he has on earth - launch forth into a world unknown, and yet feel peace.

Such a man can look forward to the resurrection and the judgment, and yet not be greatly moved. He can see with his mind's eye the great white throne - the assembled world - the open books - the listening angels - the Judge Himself - and yet feel peace.

Such a man can think of eternity, and yet not be greatly moved. He can imagine a never-ending existence in the presence of God and of the Lamb, a perpetual communion - and yet feel peace.

I know of no happiness compared to that which this peace affords. A calm sea after a storm, a blue sky after a black thunder cloud - health after sickness - light after darkness - rest after toll - all, all are beautiful and pleasant things. But none, none of them all can give more than a feeble idea of the comfort which those enjoy who have been brought into the state of peace with God. It is "a peace which passes all understanding" (Phil. 4:7).

It is the lack of this very peace which makes many in the world unhappy. Thousands have everything that is thought able to give pleasure, and yet are never satisfied. Their hearts are always aching. There is a constant sense of emptiness within. And what is the secret of all this? They have no peace with God.

It is the desire of this very peace which makes many a heathen do much in his idolatrous religion. Hundreds of them have been seen to mortify their bodies, and vex their own flesh in the serve of some wretched image which their own hands had made. And why? Because they hungered after peace with God.

It is the possession of this very peace on which the value of a man's religion depends. Without it there may be everything to please the eye, and gratify the ear - forms, ceremonies, services, and sacraments - and yet no good done to the soul. The grand question that should try all is the state of a man's conscience. Is it at peace? Has he peace with God?

This is the very peace about which I address every reader of these pages this day. Have you got it? Do you feel it? Is it your own?

If you have it, you are truly rich. You have that which will endure forever. You have treasure which you will not lose when you die and leave the world. You will carry it with you beyond the grave. You will have it and enjoy it to all eternity. Silver and gold you may have none. The praise of man you may never enjoy. But you have that which is far better than either, if you have the peace of God.

If you don't have this peace with God, you are truly poor. You have nothing which will last - nothing which will wear - nothing which you can carry with you when your turn comes to die. Naked you came into this world, and naked in every sense you  will go forth. Your body may be carried to the grave with pomp and ceremony. A solemn service may be read over your coffin. A marble monument may be put up in your honor. But after all it will be but a pauper's funeral, if you die without peace with God.

~J. C. Ryle~

(continued with # 2)