Peace that Lasts

“Peace That Lasts” Romans 8:35–37 (NIV)

Text (NIV): Romans 8:35–37 “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: ‘For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.’ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”

Introduction

Last week we began Advent talking about hope, that hope has a name, and His name is Jesus, Immanuel, God with us.

Today we take the next step in Advent and focus on peace.

Now when most people hear “peace at Christmas,” they think of a quiet house, a calm schedule, a smooth family gathering, no conflict at the table, no unexpected bills in the mailbox. And listen , I want all those things for you. I do.

But the peace the Bible offers is deeper than “calm circumstances.” Biblical peace is not just a cozy feeling. It is not simply the absence of problems.

Biblical peace is the settled security of being held in the love of Christ no matter what comes.

That’s why Romans 8:35–37 is perfect for an Advent peace message. Paul doesn’t describe peace as a perfect world. He describes peace as an unbreakable love in an imperfect world.

So here’s the big truth we’re going to walk through today:

Peace isn’t found in a perfect season. Peace is found in a faithful Savior.

Let’s look at the passage through three truths.

1. Peace Begins With a Real Question

Paul starts here:

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?” (Romans 8:35)

That’s the right question. Not “How do I keep things from going wrong?” Not “How do I control my life?” But: “What could possibly separate me from Jesus’ love?”

Because if nothing can separate you from His love, then nothing can ultimately steal your peace.

Then Paul lays out the things that feel like they could separate us:

“Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?” (v. 35)

That’s not a theoretical list. Those are real pressures. Trouble you didn’t plan for. Hardship you didn’t deserve. Fear you didn’t invite. Loss you didn’t see coming.

Paul is honest about what we face, but he’s even more confident about what we have.

Supporting Scripture backs this up:

“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” (Isaiah 26:3, NIV)

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you… Do not let your hearts be troubled.” (John 14:27, NIV)

Peace starts when your mind settles not on the size of the threat, but on the certainty of Christ’s love.

Application

So here’s what this means for you this Advent:

When anxiety rises, don’t start with “How do I fix this?” Start where Paul starts: “What can separate me from the love of Christ?”

Name your troubles honestly, don’t pretend they aren’t real, but anchor your heart deeper than your circumstances.

This week, when fear shows up, preach this to yourself: “I am held by Jesus, not hanging on by a thread.”

Church, peace begins when you trust the love of Christ more than you fear the troubles of life.

2. Peace Doesn’t Remove the Battle...It Redefines It

Paul continues:

“As it is written: ‘For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.’” (Romans 8:36)

That’s Psalm 44, and Paul uses it to make something crystal clear:

Believers still face battles. Faith doesn’t exempt you from pain. Following Jesus doesn’t mean your life becomes easy. It means your life becomes secure.

The battle is real. The threats are real. The suffering is real.

But peace comes when you realize the battle doesn’t get the final word.

Supporting Scripture says the same:

“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33, NIV)

“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me.” (Psalm 23:4, NIV)

Jesus doesn’t promise a storm-free life but He promises His presence in every storm.

That’s Christmas peace right there. Jesus didn’t come into a peaceful world. He was born in a world under Roman occupation, into poverty, into danger, into a family that would have to flee for its life.

Christmas peace doesn’t say, “Nothing will go wrong.” Christmas peace says, “God has come near, and He will not let go.”

Illustration

Think of it like this:

A little child can be in the middle of a crowded airport — loud announcements, people rushing, planes taking off, chaos everywhere.

But if that child’s hand is locked into the father’s hand, the child is steady. The noise is still there. The crowd is still there. The confusion is still there.

But the child has peace because of who is holding him.

That’s Romans 8 peace. The airport doesn’t change. But the grip does.

Your circumstances may be chaotic, but you are held.

Application

So here’s the takeaway in this second point:

Don’t interpret hardship as abandonment. The battle is part of life in a fallen world.

This Christmas season, don’t measure peace by how smooth your month feels. Measure peace by this: Am I resting in Christ’s presence right now?

Ask the Lord daily: “Jesus, help me trust You in this, not just after this.”

Peace doesn’t come from escaping the battle. Peace comes from knowing your Savior is in it with you.

3. Peace Is Our Position in Christ’s Love

Now verse 37:

“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”

Those first words matter:

“No, in all these things…”

Not away from these things. Not after these things. Not once God removes these things.

In trouble. In hardship. In sorrow. In pressure.

Peace is not postponing joy until life calms down. Peace is living secure right now because Christ loves you right now.

Then Paul says:

“we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”

That means your suffering is real, but it is not ultimate. Your trouble is heavy, but it is not final. Your tears are true, but they are not wasted.

Because the love of Christ gives a victory suffering can’t cancel.

Supporting Scripture:

“Since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:1, NIV)

“He himself is our peace…” (Ephesians 2:14, NIV)

“The peace of God… will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7, NIV)

Peace is not something you earn. Peace is a position you stand in because of Jesus.

You are not fighting for victory. You are fighting from victory.

Application

So here’s how to live this point out this week:

When your heart feels shaky, remind yourself: “I’m not defined by what I face, I’m defined by who loves me.”

When life feels loud, return to your position: peace with God through Christ.

Because His love is unbreakable, you can pray: “Lord, make my peace steady, not because life is easy, but because You are faithful.”

Peace is your inheritance in Christ, right in the middle of “all these things.”

Conclusion

As we move toward Christmas Day, remember what the angels proclaimed:

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:14, NIV)

That peace isn’t a decoration. It isn’t a slogan. It isn’t something you feel only when everything goes right.

Just like Hope is a Person...Peace is a Person.

The One born in Bethlehem. The One Isaiah called Immanuel, God with us. The One Paul points to here in Romans 8, the Savior whose love cannot be broken.

And here’s the Christ connection of this passage:

Romans 8 says nothing can separate us from the love of Christ… because Christ already crossed every distance to get to us.

He entered our world at Christmas. He lived the life we could not live. He went to the cross carrying our sin and shame. He rose from the grave in victory. And now He offers a peace the world cannot give — peace with God.

That’s what Romans 5:1 declares:

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:1, NIV)

So listen carefully: The deepest peace isn’t peace around you. It’s peace between you and God.

And that peace is only found in Jesus.

Friend, if you are here today without Christ, if you’re trying to find peace through control, through success, through comfort, through religion, through being “good enough” you will always come up empty.

Peace is not a paycheck you earn. Peace is not a prize for the strong. Peace is a gift from the Savior.

Jesus came at Christmas for this reason: to save sinners like us and bring us home to God.

So I want to ask you the most important question you’ll ever hear:

Have you made peace with God through Jesus Christ?

If not, you can today. The Bible says:

“If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9, NIV)

Right where you are, you can turn from your sin, trust in Christ, and receive:

forgiveness you don’t deserve

salvation you could never earn

and peace that will hold you not just in this season… but forever.

And for those who already belong to Jesus, let this Advent truth settle your heart:

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?” (Romans 8:35, NIV)

No one. Nothing. Never.

So when anxiety rises, when sorrow lingers, when life feels loud, when Christmas feels heavy, remember: you are held in the unbreakable love of Jesus.

And because of Him, you have peace that holds in all these things.