“Therefore being justified by faith, we have PEACE with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:1)
One of the types of peace the Lord gives is “peace with God” i.e. eternal salvation from the wrath of a righteous God.
Problem
The wrath or righteous anger of God. This is expressed in a coming worldwide judgment and eternal separation from the blessings of God in a place of conscious torment: “The lake of fire. This is the second death”. (Romans 1:18, 32; Revelation 11:15-18; 20:12-15). This anger is not because God is in a bad mood but because of our sin against Him. And our sinning, whether with the knowledge of the Bible (law – religion) or without this knowledge, was deliberate. For all know the truth of the existence of God and His basic morality. No one is innocent for no one is ignorant.
Proof
Creation – The existence of God can be known apart from the Bible by looking at His designs. For every intelligent design must have an even more intelligent designer. Therefore, all are without an excuse of being ignorant of God. (Romans 1:19, 20)
Criticizing of OthersBy criticizing and judging others for their wrong actions we reveal that we are aware of right and wrong after all. Our mouths have proven that we have no excuse of having no knowledge of wrong for our own actions – thus condemning us as worthy of judgment. (Romans 2:1-3)
ConscienceAll have, without the Bible, the work of the law (the knowledge of good and evil) “programmed” in our hearts. This is demonstrated by our conscience at times accusing us for it is reacting against this implanted truth. Thus the secrets of our conscience will be brought up at judgment day (Romans 2:14-16).
CommandmentsThere are people who possess the knowledge of God and right and wrong as revealed in detail in the Bible (law). Yet this religious knowledge is not a magical passport that absolves from all responsibility to obey the knowledge they have. When they don’t go by what they know it is sin also. Knowing the truth does not remove sin. Thus they also stand guilty before God. (Romans 2:13, 17-23; 3:9-23)
Solution
God in His love for the world is not content to leave us under judgment with a deserved guilty verdict. But how can He show us mercy (withhold due punishment) and uphold His righteousness that requires the punishment of death for sin? The answer is the death of His beloved Son. For in the sinless Jesus who volunteered Himself as our substitute (Savior), death for our sin has been fully met. Therefore, since God is now vindicated and satisfied with this legal payment for sin, righteous mercy and forgiveness can be offered to all sinners. (Romans 3:22-28, 5:6-8) “Having made PEACE through the blood of His cross” (Colossians 1:20).
Terms of Obtaining
Since the work of the punishment for sin has been completed by the Son there is no work left for the sinner to perform to satisfy God – for God is satisfied with Christ. That was proven by the Father raising the Son from the dead and exalting Him as Lord. “Preaching PEACE by Jesus Christ: (He is Lord of all)” (Acts 10:36, 17:31)
Now just the heart act of placing trust (faith) in Jesus Christ Who died on their behalf and confessing Him as the risen Lord saves one. (Romans 10:9)
The one who has been saved is to be water baptized, publicly symbolizing his identification with God’s risen Son. Going into the water symbolizes His death and burial. Coming up out of the water depicts His resurrection as Lord. It is not the water that saves one but like a wedding ring, though it is not what makes one married, it is a public statement before God and man. (Romans 6:3-5; Acts 10:48)
Promise
For those who trust God in His Son their status is changed from guilty to justified (righteous). They will be saved from the coming wrath of death and judgment for Christ has already borne their judgment on the cross and now lives as their representative before the Father. They are now reconciled with God in a relationship and are at peace with Him with sin and wrath removed. They are given the “Spirit of life” in their hearts and thus possess eternal life. (Romans 5:5-11)
Timing
The believer is “NOW” justified and reconciled. It is not a process of attainment but a present possession by the grace of the Lord Jesus. (Romans 5:9-11)
Duration of the Promise
Everlasting (John 3:15,16; 10:27, 28)
Effects of Salvation
A record that has been cleansed (forgiven) of all sin thus relieving the conscience of guilt. The cleansed heart now has the love of God in it by the Holy Spirit given to him. Therefore, he now possesses the power to overcome indwelling sin and live a life pleasing to God. (Romans 8:1-16; Galatians 5:22, 23)
WARNING – The spiritual enemy of God and man is Satan. In the same manner as he deceived Eve, he deceives many by a counterfeit Jesus, gospel and spirit. These religious groups might even use the name of ‘Jesus’ but it won’t match the real Jesus of the Bible. They will talk about being forgiven and saved (a gospel) but they will add terms and rules to keep doing to secure their own salvation. This will bring the person, because of the fear of possible judgment, into the slavery of their control. They will talk about a spirit who can do miracles etc., but it won’t match the real work of the Holy Spirit of God that changes a life into a righteous one. (2Cortinthians 11:1-4).
These counterfeit religions are guided by Satan’s ministers who have been transformed into appearing as ministers of Christ and righteousness. They might even stand against sins like abortion and homosexuality and believe in helping the poor. But this will just be a smokescreen to cloud their gospel that adds human terms beyond faith to be saved. A person who trusts their message might even give up certain sins and yet without being truly saved will be judged eternally. (2Corinthians 11:13-15)
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