Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:1)
There are two important words you need to know, if you are thinking of being a Christian, or if you want a deeper understanding of what being a Christian means.
The first word is Justified. From the beginning of Romans 4 through Romans 5:1, the word justified is a legal term proving someone right (what is the “therefore” there for?). In order to stand before God and prevail, He must declare you righteous. You must be found innocent. Look at the context of the verse itself – “having been justified.” This is the prerequisite before moving on to the next word. How is this justification obtained? By faith. This first word justified means you have come before the Judge, God Himself. Examining you with the law, He has found you innocent of not breaking the law and this is on the basis of faith.
The second word is peace. This is a relational or family term. Peace means there is no hostility or ill will. God’s accepts you and adopts you into His family. You have peace with God, the very one who was your Judge. Your peace comes by way of being justified by faith. You have peace with God based on being justified. Now the most important question is this – what is the foundation of that faith which brings justification and peace with God? The answer is Jesus.
Who is Jesus? Jesus is, from eternity past to eternity future, the Son of the Living God, the God who is your judge. Jesus is the only, uniquely begotten Son of God, who came into this world, born of a virgin. Jesus (Immanuel – God with us) came into this world, sent by His Father, to live the life we could not (sinless and holy), die the death we deserve (He is our substitute – a sacrifice for sin), be buried and rise victorious on the third day. God raised Jesus on the third day, accepting the sacrifice of His Son and vindicating His word. God now makes a way for a sinful person to have their sins forgiven by placing their faith in Jesus, who is sinless and holy, for the guilty and rebellious. Jesus willingly offered Himself up as that sacrifice and substitute to pay the penalty for sin. If you acknowledge your guilt, turn from your sin, and then cry for mercy on the basis of faith in Jesus, to God the Father, you will be justified and then have peace with Him. Come today and be reconciled to God through His Son Jesus Christ the Lord while you still have time.
Let him who has ears to hear – hear.
20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. (1 Corinthians 5:20-21 NASB)