What the Bible Says about Justification, pt. 4

THE FACT OF OUR JUSTIFICATION
Romans 5:1, "Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." The fact is that we have been justified. William R. Newell, Romans Verse by Verse, "We must note at once that the Greek form of this verb 'declared Righteous' or 'justified', is not the present participle, 'Being declared righteous,' but rather the aorist participle, 'Having been declared righteous', or 'Justified.' You say, What is the difference? The answer is, 'Being declared righteous' looks to a state that you are in; 'Having been declared righteous' looks back to a fact that happened."

The Greek word used here for "being justified" is dikaioo (dik-ah-yo'-o, to deem to be right, signifies, in the New Testament, to show to be right or righteous). Paul is saying that, at some point in the past, without our help, God justified us, that is, he declared us to be righteous.

We enter into this justification by faith - believing what God has provided for us through Christ. The Greek word used here for faith is pistis (pis'-tis, firm persuasion, a conviction based upon hearing - An Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, W. E. Vine). We base our conviction (assurance) on what we have heard -that we are indeed justified (declared righteous) by faith in Christ.

THE RESULT OF JUSTIFICATION
One result of justification is peace with God. This is a cessation of hostilities. It is not the peace of God, but peace with God. Not a feeling of peace but a state of peace. Between the sinner and God exists a state of enmity, hostility, and antagonism. Sinners are the enemies of God (Isaiah 48:22; James 4:4; Colossians 1:21). The state of war between the unbeliever and God exists until a state of peace is declared.

William R. Newell, Romans Verse by Verse, "Peace means the war is done. Peace with God means that God has nothing against us. This involves:

1. That God has fully judged sin, upon Christ our substitute.

2. That God was wholly satisfied with Christ's sacrifice, that He will eternally remain so; never taking up the judgment of our sin again.

3. That God is therefore at rest about us forever, however poor our understanding of truth, however weak our walk. God is looking at the blood of Christ, and not at our sins. All claims against us were met when Christ made peace by the blood of the cross.' So 'We have peace with God.' This has been accomplished through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

The Greek word used for through is dia (dee-ah') and is a primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; by, through, because of, by reason of, on account of, because of this reason, therefore, on this account. He is the mediator between the two parties at war (I Timothy 2:5-6). As our mediator, Jesus Christ has worked out our peace treaty with God (Colossians 1:20). But since He made peace through His blood, He is our peace with God (Ephesians 2:13-14).