Romans 5:1-5: Peace with God

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

I awoke this morning to the wonderful opportunity to do read my Bible on the patio outside of my dorm room (see picture above). Usually the weather is way too hot or humid (for me at least) to spend an enjoyable, significant amount of time outside, and for the days when it is nicer outside, usually the prime seats are taken. However, this morning it was absolutely peaceful. There was no one around, and I was able to focus on God's Word in the presence of God's beauty of nature. Yet, amidst it all, it got me thinking about peace. It certainly was a peaceful time of mine this morning, but what truly is peace? What is biblical peace?

Biblical peace is being reconciled to God. "Therefore," Paul says, "since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God throgh our Lord Jesus Christ." Romans 5:1-5 gives us a beautiful picture of what biblical peace really is. Although not being at odds with other people, having a comfortable life situation, not being at war, and any other cultural definition of "peace" certainly do define a "peaceful" state, biblical peace is far beyond any worldly definition.

As we have been studying in Romans, we have found that all men are sinners in need of a Savior, and ultimately how that Savior has now come to justify sinners by faith. But ultimately, the sinners great need is that he needs to be reconciled to God. He is a sinner, and God is holy, and that disconnect needs to be fixed so that sinful man can obtain the one thing he was created for: a relationship with his Creator God. Paul has explained that that disconnect is fixed only by God's justification of sinners by faith. However, that justification not only counts sinners as righteous, but it also reconciles them to God. Justification brings a good legal standing to a sinner that enables him to be worthy of being in good standing with the Judge. Justification leads directly to reconciliation, which is what Paul argues here.

But where does peace come in? Answer: in that very reconciliation. When we are justified and therefore reconciled to God, there is "peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:1b). We no longer have to fear the judgement of God, but can rather enjoy peaceful fellowship with him through the means of reconciliation.

So, don't get wrapped up in worldly definitions of peace. True, lasting peace can only come from a gracious God who is willing to reconcile sinners to himself. Furthermore, if you are feeling as if your life simply does not have any peace, take joy (Romans 5;2) that although your earthly state may be in dismay, your heavenly state is not--that is, if you are truly a Christian. Do you have peace with God? If not, then I encourage you to accept God's free gift of salvation and lay your life down at his feet, that you may have that peace! If yes, then why are you getting so overwhelmed with the things of this world? You have peace with God...REJOICE and be glad, for the Lord has saved you from the depths of hell and brought you to himself!