Justified By Faith

"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God."  Romans 5:1-2.  The four beautiful gems of Christianity are given in this passage: faith, peace, grace, and hope.  The faith which justifies us is an obedient faith which gives us access to the grace of God.  God's saving grace must be obtained through our obedience to His commandments.  We must continue to live under the shadow of His grace.  His grace justifies, forgives, and protects us from the sinful elements that destroy.  But, only, as we stand or abide in His grace.  His grace which justifies us gives us peace with God.  We are no longer the enemies of God.  We, through Christ by faith, are restored to God's fellowship.  The unspeakable joy of salvation provides our hope of God's glory.  As children of God, by faith through grace, we are hopeful of beholding the glory of God.  We stand in His grace by hope.  Hope drives us to greater faith, greater service, and greater devotion.  We, having been forgiven through the blood of God, live and walk with God.  We can accept the scorn and rejection of the world.  Tribulation only deepens our hope in the glory of God.  This justified life breeds hope in our heart causing us to always rejoice.  Those justified in Christ by grace through faith are happy and blessed because of the hope that one day will become sight.  They who live outside of the covenant of grace have no hope.  Only the redeemed of God have the hope of beholding God in all of His glory.  Faith, peace, grace, and hope must be attained at all cost.  These gems stabilize the present and secure the future.