In our study of the outcome of faith we now turn to Romans 5. Notice the phrases, “we have,” mentioned 5 times in 11 verses, and “we rejoice,” three times. What a cluster of blessings, almost beyond description.
“Since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Whether you feel at peace with God or not, you have peace with God. “Peace” means to bind together what has been separated. The word “with” has the idea of facing. Paul declares, that once justified through faith, we can stand facing God, knowing He sees us as guiltless and un-condemned, because Jesus Christ has made peace through His death on the cross. What separated us from God has been wiped out so we can be brought together and be at peace. In essence, Jesus Christ is our peace with God.
When this peaceful relationship is established we have “access by faith into this grace in which we now stand” (verse 2). There’s so much meaning in this short statement. The idea is this: once we trust in Jesus Christ He presents us to His heavenly Father. The Father extends His grace, as though it were a royal scepter, inviting us to stand before Him, accepted and beloved.
He sees us as cleansed from sin by the blood of Jesus Christ and clothed in his righteousness. The merit of Jesus Christ based on what He’s done for us gives us this privilege and assurance to stand before God unafraid and accepted.
The only way to experience the peace of God in our hearts is to be at peace with God.
