We Believe: We Have Peace With God

Romans 5:1–11 CSB

1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 We have also obtained access through him by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we boast in the hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but we also boast in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, 4 endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope. 5 This hope will not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. 6 For while we were still helpless, at the right time, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For rarely will someone die for a just person—though for a good person perhaps someone might even dare to die. 8 But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 How much more then, since we have now been justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from wrath. 10 For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, then how much more, having been reconciled, will we be saved by his life. 11 And not only that, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received this reconciliation.

I. Now (Opening Illustration): Unwrapping the Gift

Has anyone done a Christmas Saran Wrap ball? this is a crazy game, where each layer you unwrap reveals something new inside.

Well just like this ball, Justification is not just something that we receive, but it is a gift full of all sorts of elements. Like this saran wrap ball, as we unwrap it, this gift keeps revealing more blessings.

As Paul has said in Romans 4, Because we have been justified by faith, we now begin unwrapping the blessings that come with that gift.

The gospel is not just forgiveness of sins—it is the beginning of a life filled with the blessing of God. As we begin to unwrap justification, we are going to discover what God has given us through Christ.

II. Then (Context):

Following Romans 3, Paul explains the results of this declaration of God—a declaration spoken over us that declares us righteous. We call this declaration justification, and it is received by faith.

In Romans 4, Paul points to Abraham as the example of that kind of faith. Abraham did not weaken in faith or waver in unbelief even when things seemed bleak—when what God had promised seemed impossible in Abraham’s own strength.

Instead, Abraham trusted God's promise.

God had promised Abraham land, an inheritance, and an heir who would become a great nation. Through that heir God promised that all the nations of the earth would be blessed.

And that heir did not come for centuries.

But in Christ, God fulfilled that promise. Christ is the greater heir of Abraham and the greatest blessing God has given to the world.

And through Christ, God has promised something amazing to us.

God promises that anyone who believes the good news can receive this same blessing—to be forgiven, declared righteous, and restored to a relationship with Him.

The good news is simple:

We are sinners who cannot save ourselves.

Jesus is the Son of God who came to save us.

He lived a perfect life and died for our sins.

He rose from the grave and reigns as King.

He is coming again to make all things good!  

And if we repent of our sin and believe in Him, we are forgiven, declared righteous, and restored to God.

That is the promise Abraham believed.

And it is the promise God has given to us!

And Romans 5:1–11 explains what happens next.

It begins to unwrap the gift of justification—the blessing God promised.

But church, we must remember something important:

The gospel is not just a message to believe. It is a person—Jesus Christ—who changes our entire lives.

Every blessing we are about to see— peace with God, hope for the future, strength in suffering— is only possible because of Jesus.

III. Always (Thesis/Main Idea):

Here’s What I want you to hear from Romans 5:1-11.

“Because we are justified and have peace with God through Christ’s love, you can rejoice in the hope that carries you through suffering and will lead you to share in God’s glory.

IV. Main Points:

1. Peace with God: Jesus Has Reconciled Us To God [V1, 6-11]

Illustration:

“Let’s unwrap the ball and see what blessing we find… Ah! Reese’s Pieces.

Now I’ll be honest—the only reason these are here is because they rhyme with peace.

And the first blessing we unwrap in Romans 5 is exactly that—peace with God.”

Explanation:

The first gift we unwrap in Romans 5 is peace with God.

We have peace with God—reconciliation—which means we now have a restored relationship with Him.

This grace, bought by the blood and death of Christ, brings us great hope.

Before Christ we were:

Helpless

Ungodly

Sinners

Enemies of God

But Scripture tells us that at the right time Christ died for us.

“At the right time” means according to God’s perfect plan—but it also shows us something about God’s perfect timing. He knows when and where to act in history. He knows exactly what we need and when we need it.

How encouraging it is to know that God is not distant or passive. He is an active God who works at the right time. In His perfect plan, Christ came at the perfect moment in history.

And apart from His perfect timing, the foundation of our justification is the powerful love of Christ displayed in His death for sinners.

How amazing is His love that He would die not only for righteous people or those close to Him, but for enemies, agitators, betrayers, and rebels.

Even the best of us might sacrifice our lives for those we love—our family and friends, the people who care about us and think highly of us.

But Jesus laid down His life for people who despised Him so that they might have access to the very God they rejected.

He died for those who

spat on Him

accused Him

betrayed Him

cried out for His crucifixion (one of the most torturous forms of death known in the ancient world.)

But regardless of the actions of men, Christ died for sinners.

Because of Christ’s sacrifice, we are no longer enemies of God—we are reconciled to Him.

We are now:, His treasured possession, Friends of the Most High God, His beloved children, Members of His family, The very bride of Christ.

But remember, this peace with God is not something we achieved or earned. In fact, it wasn’t even something we were seeking on our own.

Peace is something Christ accomplished through His death.

We were under God’s wrath, but Christ saved us because of His love, not because of our good deeds.

Reconciliation is the work Christ accomplished, but it must be received by faith, accepting the gift that was offered through Him.

And when we receive the gift of justification, we begin to unwrap the gift of peace with God.

No longer do we stand against God as His enemies. Now we stand with Him forever.

Application:

So, Because we are justified, we now have peace with God, and that should fill us with great joy.

Ask yourselves, If you are a believer:

What do you have to fear when the God of the universe—the King of kings—not only guides our lives but actively works to defend you from evil and wickedness, that once ruled your life?

So, in the face of life’s troubles, in your darkest moments, remember the God you now have access to.

The Question is simple?

Do You need peace in your life?

Run to Jesus, not away from Him.

Transition:

But reconciliation does not simply restore our relationship with God—it also gives us access to something greater.

So let’s unwrap another layer and see what blessing comes next.

2. Hope for the Future: Reconciliation Gives Us Access To Future Hope [v2]

Illustration:

“Unwrapping another layer… Look! Seeds!

Seeds are a good picture of the second blessing we find here—future hope.

Just like a seed is planted in the ground and takes time to grow, the hope we have in Christ is planted in us the moment we first believe—when we repent and trust in Him.

And just like seeds take time before we see the fruit, the hope of sharing in the glory of God is something we grow toward throughout our lives. As God continues to grow us—especially spiritually—we won’t fully see the fruit of that hope until the day we are finally home with Him.”

Explanation:

The text tells us that through Christ we not only have peace with God, but we are actually invited into the kingdom to share in the glory of God.

Paul says we have obtained access through Him by faith into this grace in which we stand.

That means our lives are now grounded in something secure. We stand in grace. Our faith is anchored in what Christ has done for us.

What this means is that we now have access to:

• A relationship with God

• A hope that secures the promises He has given us in Christ

• Participation in the work God is doing in His kingdom

This future hope is that one day we will experience the glory of God and stand in His presence.

Think about standing outside early in the morning and watching the sun rise over a beautiful mountain range. As the light spreads across the sky, you feel the warmth of it.

In a far greater way, we are promised that one day we will experience the full glory of God—not just seeing it, but sharing in it.

This is amazing news. Because of Christ, we are promised that one day we will live in perfect harmony with Him forever.

God has already declared us to be His children, and one day we will fully become what He declared—children who perfectly reflect His glory.

We will no longer fall short.

We will no longer struggle against sin.

We will no longer fail to live the life God created us to live.

Instead, we will fully realize the purpose God intended for us even before creation.

God’s glory includes:

His presence

His power

His provision

The God who made us, saved us, and gave us His Spirit truly loves us.

And through Christ we have the guarantee that one day we will be with Him forever.

Scripture even tells us that we will rule and reign with Him on a new earth.

But even now, to believe in Christ means we live in relationship with Him.

We speak to Him.

We rely on Him.

We cry out to Him.

We worship Him.

We thank Him.

We trust Him with our entire lives.

This future hope assures us that one day everything will be made right.

Sin will no longer ensnare us.

Death will no longer bring sorrow.

All brokenness will be restored.

This hope brings us joy because this world is not the end.

Our trials and struggles are not the final chapter. God has promised something far greater.

Application:

The gift of justification is more than present forgiveness—it is the key that opens the gates to eternity.

Our future is secure.

Our names are written in the Book of Life through the blood of Christ.

No matter what happens in this life, we have a permanent home with the Father.

Jesus said there are many rooms in the Father’s house—and through Him, one of them is prepared for us.

So let the hope of God’s glory bring you joy.

Even when life feels heavy…

Even when everything around you seems to be falling apart…

Rejoice, because you have a place in the kingdom of God.

Transition:

But this hope is not only something waiting for us in the future—it is also something God strengthens within us even in the middle of suffering.

So let’s unwrap another layer and see what blessing comes next.

3. Strength for Our Trials: Reconciliation Strengthens Our Hope Through Trials [v3-4]

Illustration:

“Another layer comes off… and here’s rubber bands!

These rubber bands represent the stretching of our faith that inevitably happens in this life.

As believers, we become especially aware of our sin, the pressure of the enemy, and the brokenness of the world around us.

We see the evil and wickedness that plague our lives, and in those moments—just like these rubber bands—we feel the pressure and the stretching.

But our faith in Christ is not meant to remain comfortable or untouched.

In fact, it is often the pressure that helps us grow. It is through the stretching that God shapes us and moves us toward the purpose He has for our lives.

Christians do not grow in isolation or perfection—we grow in the stretching that comes through the trials of life.

Explanation:

The third gift we unwrap that Paul mentions is joy in suffering that produces a strengthened hope.

This hope is experienced again and again as we exercise our faith in difficult circumstances.

Paul makes it clear: we do not boast in ourselves; we boast in what God is producing through our trials.

Paul explains the process:

Affliction → endurance → character → hope

Endurance is inward fortitude—the ability to withstand pressure, hardship, temptation, and evil without giving up.

Proven character is a time-tested faith. It cannot truly be known unless it is placed under pressure. Just like metal is refined in fire, character is revealed and strengthened when it is tested.

And that produces hope.

Hope is the confident expectation that what God has promised will come to pass.

As we experience pressure and hardship, we begin to see more clearly that God is working in ways greater than we can imagine.

The work Christ began in us is not finished yet. He is actively working in our lives.

In those moments we begin to experience His love more deeply.

We are reminded that if all the stories of the Old Testament worked together to lead toward redemption in Christ, and if even the tragic death of Christ brought about the greatest victory in history, then the pressures we experience now are not meaningless.

The purpose God has within the pain is far greater than we could imagine.

Ultimately, God is growing us through the pressures of life—teaching us to endure faithfully, to withstand the storms, and to overcome with the Great Overcomer.

IF CHRIST OVERCAME SIN, EVIL, AND DEATH—SO WILL WE.

And the truth is, these pressures show up in many ways in our lives.

Some of you are facing financial hardships, wondering how things will work out.

Some of you are dealing with struggles at home—broken relationships, tension in marriage, difficulty connecting with your children, or the heavy weight of family responsibilities.

Some of our young people are facing pressures at school—expectations, friendships, and the challenges that come with growing up.

Some families feel the pressure that comes with sports and activities—finances, competition, expectations, and the tensions that come with it all.

Some grandparents are carrying the heavy responsibility of raising grandchildren because their own children are struggling.

Some families are faithfully caring for special needs children, carrying responsibilities that many people will never fully understand.

Others are walking through illness, sickness, or long-term health struggles, along with everyday burdens like work conflict, car trouble, or home repairs.

All of these pressures can feel overwhelming. They can choke out the joy of life in Christ. They can make us question: Do I really have peace with God? Is He really working for my good?

But Romans 5 reminds us that none of these trials are wasted.

As we face hardships, God uses them to strengthen our character and deepen our hope. Each trial reminds us of what God has already done through Christ and what He continues to do in us.

This hope will never disappoint us because Christ died for us. The cross is the unshakable proof that we are fully loved by God.

And Romans tells us that God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit.

Deep within us—through every hardship and every season of endurance—the Spirit continually reminds us that we belong to Him.

This hope is:

founded on the love of God

confirmed by the cross of Christ

and strengthened by the Spirit within us.

And that is why the question of hope is so powerful.

Hope always looks back to what God has already done…

and forward to what He has promised to do.

Application:

And when we examine the past and trust God with the future—even in the middle of suffering—hope always returns to one question:

“WHAT CAN HE NOT DO?”

Transition:

So what can He not do?

He has saved us.

He has built the bridge and restored our relationship with God.

He has given us peace that no man, no army, and no power on earth could ever secure.

He has given us hope that fills us with joy.

And that hope gives us strength to endure, strengthening our faith in Christ until the day He returns and takes us home.

V. Conclusion

Church Family, when we unwrap the gift of justification, we discover blessing after blessing.

First, we discover peace with God.

Second, we discover hope for the future.

Third, we discover strength for our trials.

And every layer of this gift points to the same truth:

God loves us.

That is the object of our boasting.

We do not boast in ourselves. We boast in what God has done for us through Jesus Christ.

Because we are justified: We have peace with God.

Because we have peace with God: We have hope for the future.

Because we have hope: We can rejoice—even in suffering.

And this hope will never disappoint us, because it is grounded in the love of God shown to us through Christ.

Remember—this gift must be received.

Justification is not something we earn. It is a gift given through Jesus Christ to anyone who will believe.

So if you are here today and you have never trusted Christ—if you are still trying to carry your sin, fix your life, or earn your way to God—hear the good news:

Jesus has already done the work.

He lived the life you could not live. He died the death you deserved. And He rose from the grave so that you could be forgiven, declared righteous, and restored to God.

All that remains is for you to receive the gift.

Turn from your sin. Place your faith in Jesus Christ. Trust Him as your Savior and Lord.

And when you do, you will begin to unwrap the same gift we have talked about today the gift only Christ can give!

through Jesus Christ, God has given us everything we need.

And one day, when Christ returns, we will finally see the fullness of that gift—

When we share in His glory forever.

The Question remains: Do You Want that Gift?