Romans 5.1A heartfelt desire among Christians is to have peace with God.  If you’re like me, there is a gap between what you know and your actual behavior.  This may cause you to wonder, “Does God accept me when my behavior falls short of His standard?”

There are two extremes that people tend to follow to ameliorate this situation.  One response is to try harder to overcome our sin – we believe that we need to get our act together and if we can’t at least we need to act like we’ve got it together.  We conclude that if it’s meant to be then it’s up to me.

The other extreme is to let go and let God.  After all, God loves everyone and He knows our weaknesses so it doesn’t really matter how we live.  I can still recall the words of one of my mentors, Robertson McQuilkin, as he would say, “It is easier to go to a consistent extreme than to stay in the center of biblical tension.”

The Apostle Paul reveals in his letter to the Romans how all have sinned and fall short of God’s glory.  He also explains that you can have peace with God despite the fact that you sin and fall short of God’s glory.

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, (Romans 5:1)

The word “therefore” pertains to the preceding context as Paul reveals that Abraham was considered righteous because of his faith,

For what does the Scripture say? “ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.”  (Romans 4:3)

The word “justified” conveys the idea that we are declared righteous, but notice that we are justified through our faith, not self-effort.  We must realize that this is not advocating a let go and let God mentality.  The Apostle James writes,

Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.  (James 2:17)

My behavior (my works) are not the cause of my salvation but the result of my salvation.

You can have peace with God not by trying harder but by trusting in what God has already done.  The center of biblical tension is realizing these two truths:

God’s Provision + My Responsibility

God’s provision is that Christ paid the penalty of my sins and now gives me the power to overcome sin in my life.  My responsibility is to follow Him in obedience.

RickAssociate Pastor – Discipleship.  The Church at LifePark

Professor of Discipleship, Columbia International University

Follow me on twitter:  rickhiggins5