A New Relationship with God

KEY VERSE: “Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus.” —Romans 5:1

SELECTED SCRIPTURE: Romans 5:1-11

PROBABLY the simplest definition of justification we can have is that suggested by the apostle—“peace with God.” The world of sinners is alienated from God through wicked works. They do not enjoy his full favor. But it is different with those who through faith and obedience draw near to God. They become his friends.

This was true of Abel, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and all the Ancient Worthies. It is true of consecrated Christians now. The difference in our position is not that of justification itself, but of that to which it leads. In our case it leads to life, hence is properly referred to as justification to life. The word justified itself does not include the thought of life. With us, justification leads to the “hope of the glory of God,” but the word itself does not mean the hope of the glory of God.—Rom. 5:2

Justification means peace with God, established upon a basis of innocency which God recognizes because of a genuine faith in him and a sincere effort to please him. It is a condition of right, or righteousness established by faith—faith and obedience proving that the individual would be perfect if he could. Here is the simple fact of justification, that blessed condition of peace with God that results from drawing near to him and his drawing near to us. From here on it is a matter of how God enlists the co operation of the justified ones.

His method of calling these into his service is different from the method he used for enlisting the cooperation of the Ancient Worthies. During this age the call is a general one, sent forth through a proclamation of the Gospel. With the vast majority of the people the message falls on deaf ears. But there is one here and there who hears with appreciation. These are the ones who are seeking after God, “if haply they might feel after him, and find him.”—Acts 17:27

When they hear the truth they are made glad. They take it to heart, ponder over its implications; and under its influence they begin to draw near to God, whose love the truth reveals. Then God begins to draw near to them. He is pleased with their reaction to the Gospel, and by his providences, begins to direct their course that they may come more and more under the influence of the truth.

Neither on the part of the one accepting the truth, nor on God’s part, is the drawing near complete until the individual reaches the point of full faith and confidence which results in his entire devotion to the will of God. Up to this point, the measure of God’s favor extended to him is subject to withdrawal if the individual does not continue drawing near to him.

Likewise, the attitude of one who is in the act of drawing near to God may, through opposition or discouragement, fail to crystallize into a full and permanent consecration of himself to do God’s will. He is in the right way, following the proper course, doing what he is able to do in order to reach the point of full fellowship and peace with God. But not until he reaches the point of full surrender, of complete consecration, does God accept him into his family circle by begetting him to sonship. Not until then does he have full peace with God described by Paul in Romans 5:1.

Paul declares that “it is God that justifieth.” (Rom. 8:33) True enough. In the final analysis God is the source of our justification in that he is the Author of the arrangement whereby we obtain his friendship, but it is essential to comply with the arrangements. On our part there is the necessity of a genuine faith; and also it is “by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.”—Rom. 3:24; James 2:24

The Scriptures indicate that we are justified by Christ’s blood; also by his resurrection. We are also told that he “appeared in the presence of God for us.” (Heb. 9:24; Rom. 8:34) So we have three cardinal factors which enter into our return to the favor of God. First, God’s arrangement, or plan, whereby it could be possible; then Jesus’ atoning work as the provision of God’s plan; and finally our acceptance of that provision through wholehearted compliance with God’s will. The matter is summed up so beautifully by the apostle: “Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

| Home Page | Table of Contents |