Peace is NOT Possible in a Works-righteousness Belief System.

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:1-2

In the previous chapter Paul makes it clear even Abraham was not "justified by works" and therefore even he did not "have something to boast about" (Romans 4:2). Now Paul takes it further explaining exactly where "we boast" -- "in the hope of the glory of God." The boasting has its proper place because of our faith. And faith is indeed the key: If you do NOT believe in your heart that God justified you by the work of Christ on the Cross then you are unlikely to feel at peace. 

Here's the thing. SINCE we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God. IF we are NOT justified by faith we do NOT have peace with God. Because peace is something a person feels. And one can only feel peace with the proper spiritual outlook. This outlook God provided by justifying us "through faith" and "through our Lord Jesus Christ." However, IF you think you are somehow justified by something other than faith in the Lord Jesus Christ then you will never fully feel at peace. 

Bottom line: Peace is NOT possible in a works-righteousness framework or belief system. 

Examine your heart. Do you feel at peace with God? If you do not feel at peace, do you think this is what God wants for you, or for any of us? What sense would it make for God to do all He has done for us if the result is still insecurity in our minds? What kind of "good news" (gospel) would that be? Not a very good one. 

No. God did all He did in order to set us free! The freedom is a freedom of our minds. If you have a lack of peace -- if you cannot imagine yourself walking right up to God the Father with confidence that you are His adopted and loved child -- then you are likely the victim of false teaching. 

First step to freedom? Start reading the Bible for yourself. BibleGateway is great because you can search by certain words. Try it. Type in words like "love," "blood," "sacrifice," and "freedom." You'll read how the good news really is good news. 

Step two to freedom? Stop listening to the teacher or teachers who leave you insecure and wondering about your salvation. They are false teachers, promoting a form of works-righteousness. They leave you thinking that something you "do" or "don't do" will take away your sinful nature and make you right with God. This is not the Truth. The Truth is Christ. And HE is the sacrifice who removed the fallen status and seated us with Himself next to God. You are -- right NOW -- His fully redeemed child. Believe it.

Step three? Never give up. God will provide all that is necessary for you to grow in your freedom and in your new nature as His child. Satan will attack. False teachers will teach. But fight back, asking God to protect your mind and heart, and to use you in His Kingdom. And be ready for your own glorious sacrifice for His name's sake. It will come. It may come as quickly as when you stop listening to that false teacher whom everyone loves so much. That right there might get you persecuted and shunned. But do it anyway. God has so much more for you --- so much freedom and peace in your mind -- and it's right there waiting for you to take a step toward Him. Believe it.

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.

You are "justified through faith." This faith is how "we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." You see we now have "gained access by faith into this grace." We didn't have access and now we do. Access into what? His grace. What do we do now that we have access to His grace? We STAND IN IT! It is His grace "...in which we now stand." And what do we do as we stand in His grace in which He gave us access through faith in Christ? WE BOAST ABOUT IT! Yes, we can brag about what God has done!!! "And we boast in the hope of the glory of God." 

Peace is NOT possibly in a works-righteousness belief system. 

Peace IS possibly when we see that it is not about what we do, it is about what God has already done!