Reading Plan:
Romans 5

Our Thoughts:
As a pastor, I've had a front-row seat to some of the happiest moments in a person's life - moments like a wedding day and the birth of a child. I've celebrated alongside couples when marriages have been restored after moral failures or with individuals experiencing healing from long-standing relational wounds. I've celebrated as diseases like cancer have been defeated. It is always a joy to share in these times with people. I've also walked with families through terrible times. I've preached the funerals of adults and teens and infants. I've seen illness and accidents and violence take loved ones far too soon.
And as I have walked with people, believers specifically, through their most difficult circumstances, I have discovered something miraculous - the peace of God. In Philippians 4, the Apostle Paul describes this kind of peace as one "which transcends all understanding." Paul says this kind of peace "will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." As I've seen Christians navigate through terrible trials, I've witnessed first-hand that peace that that just doesn't make sense but gives evidence of an unshakable confidence in God's faithfulness and sovereign purpose when most people would be tempted to jump ship. It really is amazing and inspiring to watch someone live out their faith in this way.
This is one of God's greatest gifts to his people - the peace of God. But experiencing the peace of God is only possible through peace WITH God.
Let me explain.
In Romans 5:9-10, the Apostle Paul says that because of sin, before we accept Christ as Savior, we are "enemies" of God and the subject of his wrath. He describes us as enemies again in Colossians 1:21. In Romans 8:7, Paul further describes our relationship with God before salvation as "hostile." These words imply war.
While most believers would describe themselves as imperfect, non-religious, sinful, or lost before their salvation, very few would consider themselves at war with God. Yet, that is what Paul says about us. That is terrifying! Because of our sin nature (Romans 5:12) we are born at war with a holy God. There is no peace in war, but through Jesus, we can have peace with God.
That's the incredible news Paul shares in Romans 5:1, "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."
What is the opposite of war? Peace! That is exactly what the Apostle Paul says Christ accomplishes for us. Because of the cross, we are no longer at war with God. Timothy Keller says it this way, "Peace with God means that the state of hostilities between God and us is now over... It is objective and happens whether or not I feel happy and secure." In other words, this "peace" is final! It's not dependent on our behavior or our circumstances, but on the cross.
Let me say that again, "this peace is final!" The crucifixion accomplished for us a never-ending peace with God! We are no longer enemies, no longer at war. In fact, verse two says that after gaining peace with God we have, "access by faith into his grace." The word "access" in the original language is the word "prosagoge" which means to "bring near" or "to introduce." In other words, we now can have a close and intimate relationship with our Heavenly Father.
This brings us full circle. It is through this relationship that we are able to live confidently in God's faithfulness and trust his sovereign purpose no matter what circumstances we may face. We can have peace in any circumstance! Pause for a moment and thank God. Thank him for peace - both the peace that passes all understanding and the peace that Jesus' finished work on the cross accomplished for us.

More Questions:
How/when was a time that you felt the peace of God in your life?
How does knowing you have peace with God impact your faith on a daily basis?

Prayer:
Father, thank you for Jesus. Thank you for making a way for us to be at peace with you through him. Thank you that being at peace with you is not just about peace in eternity; thank you for your peace in my life right now, no matter my circumstances. Help me to trust you in all things.

Author: Gray Strickland