How we have peace with God

Romans 1:16–17 says,

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes… For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, ‘The righteous shall live by faith.’”

The gospel begins with God, not with us. God is holy, sovereign, and righteous. He is the Creator of all things and the sustainer of life itself. There is no flaw or shadow in Him. Everything He does is just and perfect. Because He is holy, He cannot overlook or excuse sin. Every act of rebellion, every selfish desire, every word spoken in pride or hate is a violation of His holy law and an offense against His glory.

Humanity was made in God’s image — created to reflect His character and to live in joyful fellowship with Him. But from the beginning, we chose rebellion over obedience. Through Adam’s sin, the entire human race fell, and we inherited both his guilt and his corrupted nature. Scripture says, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” We are not merely broken people who need guidance; we are spiritually dead people who need resurrection.

By nature, we do not seek God, we do not desire righteousness, and we cannot save ourselves. We stand guilty under the law, deserving of judgment. The wages of sin is death — both physical and eternal. This is the condition of all humanity apart from grace.

But God, being rich in mercy, did not leave us in our helpless state. In His eternal plan, before the foundation of the world, He chose to redeem a people for Himself. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ — fully God and fully man — to live the perfect life we failed to live and to die the death we deserved to die. On the cross, Jesus bore the wrath of God for the sins of His people. He stood in our place as our substitute.

The cross was not a tragic accident — it was the deliberate act of divine love and justice. There, God poured out His righteous anger on His Son so that sinners could be forgiven without compromising His holiness. As Scripture says, “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”

Jesus satisfied the full justice of God. The debt was paid, the law fulfilled, and the wrath absorbed. When Christ cried, “It is finished,” He declared that redemption had been accomplished completely. Three days later, He rose from the dead, conquering death and proving that His sacrifice was accepted by the Father. The resurrection is not only proof of His victory — it is the assurance that all who are in Him will also rise to eternal life.

Salvation, then, is entirely the work of God’s grace. It is not achieved by our good works, religious efforts, or moral reform. It is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. Even the faith that saves us is a gift from God, produced in the heart by the regenerating power of the Holy Spirit. No one can boast, because salvation is not a partnership between man and God — it is God’s work from beginning to end.

When the Spirit opens a sinner’s heart, that person repents and believes. Repentance is turning away from sin, and faith is trusting completely in the finished work of Christ. These two are inseparable — both are the result of a heart made alive by God’s grace.

Those who are in Christ are justified — declared righteous before God — not because of anything they’ve done, but because of what Jesus has done on their behalf. And those whom God justifies, He also sanctifies. The same grace that saves also transforms. The believer begins to grow in holiness, not to earn God’s favor, but because he has already received it. The Spirit works within to produce obedience, love, and perseverance.

True believers are secure forever in Christ. The God who began the good work of salvation will bring it to completion. We are kept not by our own strength but by His power and faithfulness. Every step of the Christian life — from election, to redemption, to regeneration, to glorification — is designed to display the glory of God’s grace.

From Him, through Him, and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.

The gospel calls each of us to respond. God commands all people everywhere to repent and believe the good news. To reject Christ is to remain under judgment; to receive Him by faith is to find life, forgiveness, and peace with God.

Friend, if you hear His voice today, do not harden your heart. Turn from your sin and trust in Christ alone. There is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. Christ is a perfect Savior — able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him.

This is the gospel of grace: that God saves sinners — not because of who we are, but because of who He is. Salvation belongs to the Lord.

Soli Deo Gloria.