Within the foundation of sound soul-saving Christianity, there is a resounding word, “Justified.” It contains the true secret of inward and spiritual comfort. Paul echoes this sentiment in the Scriptures, “Being justified by faith, I have peace with God through Jesus Christ.” To die ignorant about this is to be ruined to all eternity. There are four things we are going to consider about “justified.”

First, the chief privilege of a true Christian is that “he has peace with God.” Paul speaks for all true Christians. Some of them no doubt have a greater sense of this privilege than others. All of them find an evil principle within, warring against their spiritual welfare day by day. All of them find their adversary, the devil, waging an endless battle with their souls. All of them find that they must endure the enmity of the world. But all, notwithstanding, to a greater or less extent, “have peace with God.”

He that has it feels as if there was no barrier and separation between himself and his holy Maker. He can think of himself as under the eye of an all-seeing Being, and yet not feel afraid. Such a man can see death waiting for him and yet not be greatly moved. He can look back on the many sins of a misspent life and not feel afraid. He can close his eyes on all he has on earth and launch forth into a world unknown and take up his abode in the silent grave, and he can yet feel peace. Hopefuls, can you?

Such a man can look forward to the resurrection and the judgment and yet not be greatly moved. He can see with his mind’s eye the great white throne – the assembled world – the open books – the listening angels – the Judge Himself and yet feel peace. Such a man can think of eternity and yet not be greatly moved. He can imagine a never-ending existence in the presence of God and of the Lamb – a perpetual communion and yet feel peace. Hopefuls, can you? A true Christian can have a peace “which passeth all understanding” (Philippians 4:7).

It is the want of this very peace which makes many in the world unhappy. Many have everything that is thought able to give pleasure and yet are never satisfied. There is a constant sense of emptiness within. What is the secret of all this? They have no peace with God.

It is the desire of this very peace which makes many a heathen do much in his idolatrous religion. Many have been able to mortify their bodies and vex their own flesh in the service of some wretched image which their own hands had made. Why? Because they hungered after peace with God.

It is the possession of this very peace on which the value of a man’s religion depends. Without it there may be everything to please the eye and gratify the ear – forms, ceremonies, services, and sacraments – and yet no good done to the soul. The grand question that should try all is the state of a man’s conscience. Is it peace?

If we have this peace, we are truly rich. We have that which will endure for ever. Silver and gold we may have none. The praise of man we may never enjoy, but we have that which is far better than either, if we have peace with God. If we have it not, we are truly poor. We have nothing which will last, nothing which we can carry with us when our turn comes to die.

Second, the fountain from which true peace is drawn is justification. The peace of the true Christian is not a vague, dreamy feeling, without reason or foundation. He can show cause for it. He builds upon solid ground. He has peace with God, because he is justified.

Without justification it is impossible to have real peace. Conscience forbids it. Sin is a mountain between a man and God and must be taken away. The sense of guilt lies heavy on the heart and must be removed. Unpardoned sin will murder peace. His peace arises from a consciousness of his sins being forgiven and his guilt being put away. He has peace with God because he is justified.

He is justified, and his sins are forgiven. However many and however great, they are cleansed away, pardoned, and wiped out. They are blotted out of the book of God’s remembrance. They are sunk into the depths of the sea. They are cast behind God’s back. They are searched for and not found. They are remembered no more. Though they may have been like scarlet, they are become as white as snow. Though they may have been red like crimson, they are as wool. And so he has peace.

He is counted and counted righteous in God’s sight. The Father sees no spot in him and reckons him innocent. He is clothed in a robe of perfect righteousness and may sit down by the side of angels without feeling ashamed. The holy law of God, which touches the thoughts and intents of men’s hearts, cannot condemn him. The devil, the accuser of the brethren, can lay nothing to his charge, to prevent his full acquittal. And so he has peace.

Though a Christian was naturally a poor, weak, erring, and defective sinner, he is reckoned complete, perfect, and faultless before God, for he is justified. He was naturally a debtor, because he owed so much to God but did not have anything of his own to pay. But, his debts are all paid, settled, and crossed out for ever, for he is justified.

He was naturally liable to the curse of a broken law, but the demands of the law have been fully satisfied, the claims of justice have been met to the last tittle, and he is justified. He naturally deserved punishment, but the punishment has been borne. The wrath of God against sin has been made manifest, yet he has escaped and is justified.

Do you know anything of all this? Are you justified? Do you feel as if you were pardoned, forgiven, and accepted before God? Can you draw near to Him with boldness and say, “You are my Father and my Friend, and I am your reconciled child?” Know for sure that you will never taste true peace until you are justified. Where are your sins? Are they removed and taken away from off your soul? A peace of conscience not built on justification is a perilous dream.

Lovingly, Your Pastor

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