Advent Day 17

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. (Romans 5:1)

What do faith, peace, grace, and hope have to do with the glory of God? Everything. Paul says that we have been justified by faith, and because of that, we have peace with God. The object of that faith is Jesus Christ. He is not only the object of it but also the creator of it. All faith comes through hearing the good news of what Jesus has done to reconcile sinners to God (Rom. 10:17).

So often, we are tempted into anxiety over the quality or quantity of our faith. Our peace is robbed when we start to believe that faith is something we provide or contribute to our salvation. But God takes peace seriously and has not attached it to something in you or something that you created. He has delivered it through faith that he created. And however weak that faith may seem, it flows from and clings to the unchangeable, unshakable, once-for-all work of Jesus Christ for you.

There is more good news. God has gifted you faith, and you have accessed his inexhaustible grace. Any questions about deserving God’s love and acceptance are swept away in the flood of God’s grace. Any fear that you haven’t done enough or that you have doubted too much is laid to rest because of the grace of God on account of Jesus. You are forgiven, justified, and declared righteous, all by grace through faith. This is your hope. This is where you find peace.

God is glorified when sinners have peace with him. This peace declares to the world that the love of God in Christ has the final say. This is why Jesus came. This is why he was born. Christmas is about peace, and peace is about the glory of God.

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