PEACE

"God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing" (C.S. Lewis).

The phrase "Therefore" at the beginning of Romans 5 points to what was written before. Chapter 4 ends by pointing to belief: trusting God will do for us what we cannot do for ourselves (in Romans, that is make ourselves righteous). He says if we believe in Him who raised Jesus from the dead, then our faith will be accounted to us as righteousness, just like Abraham's.

In Romans 5:1, he says, "Since we have been." He talks to those who have already come to God through faith in Jesus. That faith has justified them. He then lists the results of that justification (5:1-5). Because of Jesus, we have peace (1), grace (2), hope (2), tribulation (3), perseverance (3), character (4), hope (4), God's love (5), and the Holy Spirit (5).

Today, I want us to focus on the fact that we have peace. This peace is with God as opposed to the enmity with Him that sin causes (cf. v.10). Paul uses this word similarly to how its Hebrew counterpart is used through the Old Testament. It is more than just the absence of conflict. It is well-being, safety from harm, deliverance from enemies, and security in one's relationship with the Lord.

He will later say that to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace (8:6). He reminds them that the Kingdom of God is all about righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (14:17). He prays that they would be filled with joy and peace (15:13) and that the God of peace would be with them (15:33). It is easy to see how peace is connected with a proper relationship with God, the joy he brings, and living a life guided by the Spirit.

Ultimately, Paul will write, "(T)he God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet" (16:20). It seems like such a contrast that "the God of peace" would crush; almost oxymoronic. However, the only way we can have true peace is with a relationship with Him through Jesus: undistracted by the world and undivided by Satan. So, today, put your faith in the Lord. Follow His will for your life. Allow the Lord to fill you with the peace that only comes when we have a relationship with Him. I love you, and God does too!

Corey Sawyers is the preaching minister for the Martin Church of Christ and an adjunct instructor for Bear Valley Bible Institute. He is Melody's husband and Daddy to Garrett (and Bailey), Gordon (and Lauren), and Gannon. It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!