Dear Christian friends:

We have peace with God through justification, "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." (Romans 5:1)

The self-righteous can't be sure of their righteousness (if they have done enough), hence no real peace of conscience. Those justified by faith can be sure, and hence will have real peace with God and their conscience while perhaps not having peace with the wicked.

We, even after our conversion, fall into many temptations and sins, "daily sin much" due to our old Adam, Satan and the world. This constant sinning would tire a god who has no grace, but only justice. Eventually a self-righteous person, who has invented a god that only accepts self-righteous people, must despair as Luther did.

But being justified by faith, being Christ-righteous and not self-righteous we have, as Paul says in verse two, "access by faith into this grace wherein we stand." This state of grace like in the State of Washington: You may do wrong in Washington but you are still in Washington and can be sure of a fair trial no matter where you go in Washington. By faith in Christ we enter "God's State", Grace. As long as we are in God's State we may be sure of His grace and Christ's righteousness to hide all of our sins. No matter how often we may fall into temptation due to our selfish weak nature. And we stay in God's State as long as we believe in Jesus Christ.

As long as we believe that Christ makes us righteous and not self-righteous we will not despair or think that God is losing patience. Being justified by faith (Christ- righteous) and not self-righteous makes us so sure of God's plenteous mercy that we dare to hope for the glory of God which will be revealed on the Last Day and forever in heaven.

It is a long time maybe fifty years, before we get full and final salvation. As we look ahead we know our weaknesses and estimate the sins and dangers that will beset us. Without Christ-righteousness we would quickly despair and say I can't make it. But borrowing righteousness outside of our self gives us courage and hope. Yes, by Jesus we dare to hope for the full revelation of God's glory.

We even do more than hope or decide to do battle until we reach that hope. We glory in the tribulations on the way! Self-righteous people think that troubles are a punishment from God whom they have wronged. It may well be for them!

But being Christ-righteous by faith in Him leaves no room for punishment. Christ has born all that on the cross.

To the Christian troubles are blessings from a wise, kind Father, and not punishments from an angry God. These troubles, he knows from Paul here, teach patience and experience, improvement and maturity. Without these troubles the Christian remains weak and immature in baby faith. But in God's School of troubles he grows strong and patient, kind, merciful, understanding and wise in the ways of God.

In all these troubles he does not have a bad conscience nor does he feel that God is picking on him. Rather he rejoices that God thinks Him ready for such severe tests.

How have you been acting in times of trouble? Do you lose patience and complain? Do you criticize God or the Church? Do you feel that troubles are interrupting your carefully laid plans?

If you are acting like this in time of troubles, you had better search your faith. You are depending on self-righteousness and not on Christ-righteousness.

Believing in Christ we accept all things that may happen as a blessing of a kind, and merciful Father in heaven. God help us to trust in Christ and not in our self.

Amen.