16
This takes us back again to Romans three, and commencing at verse twenty three we read `For all have sinned
(in the past) and come (are coming, in the present) short of the glory of God'. Here we have the hopeless and
helpless condition of the unbeliever and believer alike, in themselves. Notice the words `coming short', and the
word `glory'. Both are closely connected with the thought of approval. God has a standard, but none have attained
to it. Not till 4,000 years had rolled their course since the creation of Adam, could the Heavens open upon One in
Whom the Father was well-pleased (Matt. 3:16,17).
It is interesting to note that the word `well-pleased' (eudokeo) is connected with the word `glory' (doxa). The
Lord Jesus alone of all born of woman came up to the Divine Standard; all else have fallen short. In the case of
candidates for government posts, to `fall short' of the required height by half an inch disqualifies as much as a foot;
degrees there may be in sins, but not in sin - `all sinned and are coming short of the glory of God'.
The sentence must not be finished here, for this has no word of peace for sinners. It continues, `Being justified
freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus'. Ah! here is the ground of my peace with God.
There is no interval between Romans 3:23 and 3:24; no room for improvement. At the same moment that the sinner
is `coming short', that same moment he may be `justified'. Romans 4:5 emphasizes the same blessed truth, `But to
him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness'.
Surely we can now appreciate the words of the apostle when he says `justified freely'.
The word `freely' is translated `without a cause' in John 15:25. Justified without a cause! Surely this is grace
indeed, and it is all `through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus'. Here then is the ground of our peace; this is the
`justification by faith' which brings us `peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ' (Rom. 5:1). This glorious
truth is expanded in Colossians 1:20-22, `And, having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to
reconcile all things unto Himself; by Him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. And you, that
were sometime alienated and enemies (not knowing peace) in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath He
reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in His
sight'.
The peace, which is the blessed privilege of the believer here, is the anticipation of that final Dispensation of the
Reconciliation of all things, when sin and sorrow shall flee away, and peace, perfect peace, will reign and rule (Col.
1:20; Eph. 1:10).
Not only is peace connected with the Cross of Christ, it is vitally connected with His Resurrection. Romans 5:1
reads on from Romans 4:24,25 `Who was delivered for (dia because of) our offences and was raised again for (dia
because of) our justifying; therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God'. There is, however,
something more to be learned from this verse. The passage may read, `Therefore being justified by faith let us have
peace with God'. We cannot `make our peace' with God (as some erroneously speak), but we may be exhorted,
upon the basis of the perfect justification that is ours in Christ, `By faith let us have peace with God'!
Why should anything come between now? Sin has been dealt with, the Sacrifice has been offered and accepted;
`the fruit of righteousness shall be peace', `righteousness and peace have kissed each other' (Psa. 85:10); therefore,
oh believer, enter by faith into that peace which is yours. Let none say you nay, when the Lord says that the peace
has been made by the blood of His cross.
Not only do we find peace through His blood, but we read the glorious words, `But now in Christ Jesus ye who
sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For He is our peace' (Eph. 2:13,14). Let us dwell
upon this (not doctrine merely, but Christ Himself), He is our peace. Well might the apostle say, as the yearning of
his heart, to be `found in Him' (Phil. 3:9).
If He is our peace, how well we can understand the power that binds together the `unity of the Spirit'; it is the
`bond of peace' (binding together of the peace). Man-made bonds cause friction, strife, division; the bond of peace
never irritates, never chafes. Oh to know its power more! When men say `peace', sudden destruction may be
nearer, but when `He (the Lord) giveth quietness, who then can make trouble?' (Job 34:29). Let us notice the Lord's
action as recorded in John 20:19, 20. `Then ... came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be
unto you. And when He had so said, He showed unto them His hands and His side. Then were the disciples glad,