Peace with God - Rom. 5:1-11
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Peace - Is that pervasive concept in the Bible that most commonly relates to a relationship of love and loyalty with God and one another.
Peace - it’s what everyone desires and what few find
Specifically in our passage today, we read of how to have peace with God.
We are in Romans this year, studying verse by verse learning that romans is all about the righteousness of God provided to the unrighteous through faith in the Gospel.
TO this point we have learned some incredible truth - to name a few:
(1:1-7) God’s grace brought us to faith - and real faith always leads to obedience.
(1:8-17) The unrighteous are declared righteous by God’s grace alone through faith alone.
(1:18-32) Mankind's willful blindness to the realities of our Creator has led to wayward beliefs which have led to wicked behavior.
(2:12-16) God alone is our righteous judge. Thankfully the gospel fulfills the Law and spares us from judgement and is therefore our only Hope!
(3) There is no amount of righteousness that we could accomplish to be right with God – we all stand guilty before Him. Thankfully, this truth is countered with the Gospel.
(4) We are justified by faith apart from the works of the law - Just like Abraham.
Although we, like Abraham, are not righteous, God imputes righteousness to us based on the grace He extends.
v.1 Paul transitions in to our passage of today, and we see:
The Extension of Peace (vv. 1-2)
1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
v.1 - because of what we read in Chapter 4 (you are made right through faith) we now have peace with God.
Prior to faith in Jesus, the bible says you were actually enemies
21 And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled
1 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins,
2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience,
3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,
5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),
Through faith, those who were once enemies are reconciled - made right.
v. 1 continues that it is exclusively through our Lord Jesus Christ
It wasn’t through any other means - the mode is Christ!
v. 2- It is through this Jesus we have access to God’s grace through faith.
All of the blessings that come with being at peace with God are made available by Christ alone
We have freedom to enter His presence through prayer at any time!
We have the assurance of present sanctification and future glorification!
He continues v. 2 with - this should cause you to rejoice!
Good theology should bring you to joy - not fear or laziness - but joy!
Rejoicing in the glory of God - that Christ would die for me!
Now, the extension of this joy filled life is through Christ - but is the Joyous life dependent on circumstances?
The Experience of Peace (vv. 3-5)
3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance;
4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope.
5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
Not only are we to glory in the future work we know He will do, but also in what He is currently doing.
In the midst of the turmoil, we can rejoice.
Not because trials are pleasant in moment, but because we know God is at work in us, molding us into what He wants us to be.
11 Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
Christ-likeness is the goal, and for all of us, there is still work to do.
Illustration - The building workouts working up to half-marathon
Ministry carries some unique trials and unique blessings - and one of those blessings is seeing God use unfathomable circumstances to change a heart for the better.
We speak of and desire the peace of God - the ability to know that in the present trial that everything will work out ok.
But dear friend, understand that the peace of God is only available to those who are at peace with God.
The extension of peace is by God’s grace through faith in Christ alone. And being at peace with God through faith, leads us to having the peace of God in the various trials we face.
Our trials build and work in us a hope in God, because we have experienced His love.
11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!
Because we know He is a good Father, we can trust Him
ILL - peace on the train
Because we know God is a Good Father, we can trust Him.
But this goodness and gift of peace came at a price.
The Exchange of Peace(vv. 6-11)
(vv. 6-8)
6 For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die.
8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
v. 6 - while we were in sin, Christ died for the ungodly.
His timing was perfect and His sacrifice was final.
v. 7 - we see that this exchange was for the least expected.
Remember, Paul is writing to those who in times past thought that their religious/national status would make them right with God.
No, Christ died (vv. 7-8) for those who were completely and utterly against Him, He died for us - sinners!
This exchange that we reflect during Holy Week leading up to His crucifixion - reminds us of the unimaginable sacrifice He made for those who opposed Him.
Not only that:
(vv. 9-11)
9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.
10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.
11 And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.
We are made right through His sacrifice and saved from the wrath we deserve!
But dear friend, he is not still dead - He is alive forevermore.
And (v. 11) this reconciling work that Christ accomplished in this exchange is where we can rejoice.
In future expectation
And in present frustration.
In future promises
And in the closeness of His presence.
Weekly focus:
Being at peace with God leads us to the peace of God. Rejoice this week in His provision and rest in His plans.