Romans 5:1
“THEREFORE being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
“We have peace with God.”-This shows that all men, till they are justified, are at war with God, and that He is at war with them. But when they are justified by faith, the wrath of God, which abideth on those who believe not on His Son, John iii.36. “And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.” is turned away, and they cease to be enemies to God. Thus peace, succeeding hostility, brings with it every blessing; for there is no middle place for the creature between the love and the wrath of God. This peace, then, arises from righteousness, – the imputation of the righteousness of God by which the believer is justified,-and is followed by a sense of peace obtained. While guilt remains in the conscience, enmity will also rankle in the heart; for so long as men look upon their sins as unpardoned, and on God as the avenger of their transgressions, they must regard Him as being to them a consuming fire. But when they view God in Christ reconciling them to Himself, not imputing their iniquities to them, peace, according to the measure of faith, is established in the conscience. This never can never be experienced by going about to establish our own righteousness. If a man have peace in his conscience, it must flow from Christ’s righteousness-it must be the effect of that righteousness which God has ‘created’ Isa. 45: 8 “Drop down, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness: let the earth open, and let them bring forth salvation, and let righteousness spring up together; I the LORD have created it.” and of which the Spirit, when He comes, brings with Him the conviction, John 16:8. “And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.” Resting on this righteousness, the believer beholds God at peace with him, perfectly reconciled.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ. – Peace comes through the death of Jesus Christ. The faith, therefore, by which it is obtained, must refer to Him who made peace through the blood of His cross. He alone, as the one Mediator, can make peace between God, who is holy, and man who is sinful.
(Robert Haldane Commentary on Romans)
Searmon preached by Rev. John Coates
Sola Fide or Faith Alone
