Where Do I Stand With God?

Since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ . . . and we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.   Romans 5:1-2, ESV

If you are unsure about your standing with God, it will be difficult for you to rejoice in him. The apostle Paul says that “we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1, ESV).

Having “peace with God” is not the same thing as feeling peaceful. There may be times in the Christian life when we are very troubled. “Peace with God” means that God holds nothing against us. The reason for this is that he has charged all your sin to Jesus, and Jesus dealt with it on the cross.

The case against you is closed; the hearing is over, and the court is dismissed. Through Jesus’ death and resurrection there is peace with God, access to grace, and the certainty of glory for every person who trusts in the Lord Jesus Christ.

That is the transformation that takes place when you are justified. It is a miracle of God’s grace, and it brings you into peace with God. That is your standing, and it is secure. It doesn’t vary from day to day or swing with your moods, and it isn’t canceled when you let God down.

Imagine a business partnership in which you had to call your partner every day to find out if he or she still wanted to work with you. Or imagine a marriage in which you didn’t really know if your spouse loved you. Either of these relationships could be endured but not enjoyed.

Many Christians have the idea that the Christian life begins with forgiveness but is sustained by performance. That’s completely false. When we’re justified, we live in the world of God’s grace.

You can look to the future with confidence because the Christ who died to save you lives to keep you. Your final salvation does not rest on your performance in the Christian life. It has been sealed by the blood of Christ, and knowing this, you can rejoice in God through the Lord Jesus Christ.

For further reading, see Philippians 3