(1) Peace with God (v. 1). The unsaved person is at enmity with God (Rom. 5:10; 8:7) because he cannot obey God’s law or fulfill God’s will. Two verses from Isaiah make the matter clear: “There is no peace, saith the Lord, unto the wicked” (Isa. 48:22); “And the work of righteousness shall be peace” (Isa. 32:17). Condemnation means that God declares us sinners, which is a declaration of war. Justification means that God declares us righteous, which is a declaration of peace, made possible by Christ’s death on the cross. “Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other” (Ps. 85:10). “Because the law worketh wrath” (Rom. 4:15), nobody condemned by the law can enjoy peace with God. But when you are justified by faith, you are declared righteous, and the law cannot condemn you or declare war!