THE WORK OF THE CROSS

In Romans 5:1 we read, “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”  ‘Therefore being justified,’ refers back to Romans 4:25 and the redemption and justification that Christ accomplished for His people AT THE CROSS.  There, God was propitiated toward those that Christ redeemed, Romans 3:25.  It is by faith that the redeemed sinner, through the work of the Spirit of grace, is reconciled to God through the Lord Jesus Christ.  The Spirit removes all enmity toward God in that redeemed sinner’s heart, making him at peace with God, whose justice Christ satisfied by His death on the cross, Col. 1:20.

The believer’s justification before God took place at the cross because “the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, He took out of the way, NAILING IT TO HIS CROSS,” Col. 2:14.  All charges were satisfied in Christ’s death, not just dropped, or set aside.  Therefore, forgiveness, redemption, and justification were fully accomplished at that time.  Let me illustrate.  If a man could not pay the mortgage on his house and another stepped in on his behalf and paid it all off, then the bank is satisfied and holds no claim on the house.  Even before the homeowner is made aware of the satisfaction, or if for a while did not believe it, it would not affect his standing with the bank.  The bank could not and would not repossess the home.  The man’s peace of mind may be affected, but his house would still remain paid off.  Peace of mind has to do with the believer’s sanctification. Christ’s work on the cross with his justification.  Faith does not complete Christ’s work.  It is finished!  Rather, it is by faith that all of Christ’s redeemed ones are brought to embrace and enjoy what He accomplished for them at the cross!  If you are in Christ, by grace, through faith, what a comfort and blessing this is! It is truly the Gospel (Good News)!