19.j. “The effect of righteousness will be peace”

Romans 5:1  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 10:10    For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.

 Habakkuk 2:4  “Behold, his soul is puffed up; it is not upright within him, but the righteous shall live by his faith.

 John 3:18   Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

 Galatians 2:16    yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.

 Philippians 3:9   but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith

 Psalms 85:8-10   Let me hear what God the LORD will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his saints; but let them not turn back to folly. Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him, that glory may dwell in our land.  Steadfast love and faithfulness meet; righteousness and peace kiss each other.

 Isaiah 32:17   And the effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever.

 Isaiah 57:19-21    creating the fruit of the lips. Peace, peace, to the far and to the near,” says the LORD, “and I will heal him.  But the wicked are like the tossing sea; for it cannot be quiet, and its waters toss up mire and dirt.  There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.”

“I am delighted to find that sin stings you, and that you hate it. The more hatred of sin the better. A sin-hating soul is a God-loving soul. If sin never distresses you, then God has never favored you.” (Charles Spurgeon)

Justified by faith speaks of a legal decreeRomans 1:18-3:20 found us guilty before the court of God’s law, God’s glory, and our conscience. Then Paul explained how because of what Jesus did, the righteousness of God is given to all who believe. The guilty sentence is transformed into a sentence of justified, and justified by faith. 

Peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: This is the first benefit. Because the price is paid in full by the work of Jesus on the cross, God’s justice towards us is eternally satisfied.  This is not the peace of God spoken of in other places (such as Philippians 4:7). This is peace with God; the battle between God and ourselves is finished – and He won, winning us. Some never knew they were out of peace with God, but they were like drivers ignoring the red lights of a police car in their rear-view mirror – they are in trouble even if they don’t know it, and it will soon catch up to them.  Ignoring it does not make them guiltless.  Ignoring God and our sin does not make it go away.  Shouts of God’s word, to the souls of man, can be ignored but that soul will never have or find peace with God. 

Remember that the Bible doesn’t say we have peace with the devil, peace with the world, peace with the flesh, or peace with sin – but we are able to have peace when faced with battles against them. Life is still a battle for the Christian but it is no longer a battle against God – it is fighting for Him and His honor, glory, and praise. (Guzik)