Scripture 

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:1, ESV) 

Thoughts 

How are we justified with God? We are justified by faith. Let’s look at the context of the verse above. At the end of Romans 14, just before our verse, Paul is making the argument that Abraham was justified by faith. Please read this passage: 

And Abraham’s faith did not weaken, even though, at about 100 years of age, he figured his body was as good as dead—and so was Sarah’s womb. Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises. And because of Abraham’s faith, God counted him as righteous. And when God counted him as righteous, it wasn’t just for Abraham’s benefit. It was recorded for our benefit, too, assuring us that God will also count us as righteous if we believe in him, the one who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. He was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised to life to make us right with God. (Romans 4:19-25, NLT) 

Abraham was fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. And Paul assures us that this truth is for us, too. In the last sentence (verse 25), the Gospel jumps off the page. Jesus’ death was for our sin, to make us right with God. Jesus’ resurrection was for our justification so we’d be declared righteous. Then in chapter 8, Paul says, “Therefore we have been justified [just as if we had never sinned] by faith.” That is amazing! And the wonderful outcome? We have peace with God! 

Application 

When sin has entered into a relationship, do you declare others as guilty or as righteous? “Now hold on,” you might be saying. “I can’t declare someone righteous!” You are 100% correct. Let me ask it this way instead: Do you see the broken relationship through the lens of the gospel? Through the blood that Jesus shed? Or, do you see it through your own hurt? I’m sure that you believe that the same God who declares you righteous through faith in his Son is also offering to declare the other person righteous through Jesus. I encourage you to begin to live like the Lord Jesus died for the other person too. 

Prayer 

Father, help me to see those with whom I am in conflict through the lens of your son, Jesus, and his faithful love for them.… Continue praying.