In our study series on the Letter to the Romans, this is about a starting point before moving on. In Romans 5:1 Paul writes “Justified then by faith, we may have peace with God.” This refers back to the previous chapters, however it also describes what we are now “allowed” to have. That is the starting position. It is as if the apostle pauses for a moment, dwells on what has been achieved and explains what we may take away from it. Peace with God. Let’s think about it a little bit.

Peace

Paul is not talking here about an outward peace, but he is talking about peace in you and me. He does not mean the absence of war, strife, or outward unrest, but he means inward peace, and just in this one relationship: peace with God.

Peace in the Bible (hb. shalom, gr. eirene) has to do with well-being, with calmness, with a state of mind in which one is not agitated but remains reliable. Something like that, as in this text:

“Into whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house!’ And if there be a son of peace there, your peace shall rest upon him; otherwise it shall return upon you.”
Luk 10:5-6, cf. Mt 10:13

Jesus speaks this to his disciples when he sends many out into the land for the proclamation of the kingdom. The disciples are at peace, and wherever they enter, may this peace also be for the house. However, if the house does not want to live in this peace, you should again keep this peace for yourself.

After His resurrection, the following is reported of Jesus and His disciples:

“While they were still talking about it, Jesus Himself came into their midst and said to them: Peace be with you!”
Luk 24,36

Now peace (“shalom”) is a common greeting in Israel to this day. One wishes for peace, in other words: well-being, peace, well-being. However, it goes one step further when Jesus speaks about the time in which He is no longer on earth. We read about this in the Gospel of John:

“Peace I leave you, My peace I give you. Not as the world gives, do I give you. Let not your heart be troubled nor despondent!”
John 14:27

Peace, but not as the world gives it, but His own peace should be for us. This expresses a difference. We should not be surprised that it is this peace that is later proclaimed as good news:

“You know the word He sent to the sons of Israel: to proclaim peace as the gospel through Jesus Christ.”
Acts 10:36

It is this peace through Jesus Christ with God that is always central. For example, here, where it is about peace between faith from Israel and from the nations:

“But now, in Christ Jesus, you who were once far off have become near by Christ’s blood. For He is our peace, who has made the two [Glaubende aus Israel und aus den Nationen] made one and broke down the middle wall of enclosure (the enmity in His flesh) (by abolishing the law of commandments in decrees) to create the two in Himself into a new humanity (by making peace) and to reconcile the two in one body with God through the cross: thus killing in him the enmity. With His coming, He proclaims as gospel: peace to you who are far off, and peace to you who are near, because through Him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.”
Eph 2:13-18

There is much that can be said about these passages, but here – in the context of this paper – we can see that “peace” is to be traced like a thread through the New Testament. Or applied to our lives: If we are believers, then peace is a central concern in many areas. Proclaiming peace to others is just as important as recognizing the peace we have been given.

Is this now a matter of magical intervention in the external circumstances of our lives? No. It is about ourselves. We are given peace. Inwardly. And our behavior toward others may likewise be characterized by peace:

“Therefore, take up the whole armor of God … feet bound in readiness for the gospel of peace.”
from: Eph 6:10-17

Paul begins all his letters with the greeting “grace and peace”. He also ends some letters with such words:

“Peace to the brethren and love with faithfulness from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ!”
Eph 6:23

Peace and love, with faithfulness – all this should flow to us from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. This is what Paul writes to the recipients of the letter. This seems remarkable to me, not only as an encouragement, but also because Paul exemplifies his faith in this way – it is an expression of an experience of faith and also of an attitude of faith.

Peace with God

Back to the Letter to the Romans. Chapter 5 is about a new topic. We are on the threshold of new insights that Paul also shares with us here. Romans 5:1-9 is a summary. It describes the past chapters (in which it was about God’s righteousness that was fulfilled in Christ), and what starting position is received by it (peace). It is the transition to reconciliation, which he talks about from verse 10.

Peace with God is the result of “justification by faith”. You don’t have to work hard here again. Paul had just clearly described in the previous chapters that it is through the faith of Jesus Christ that we receive God’s righteousness for free. The point here is that this foundation of justification has already been laid, that this now does not need to be explained further, but that through this peace with God may be the result:

“Justified therefore by faith, we may have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Rom 5:1

We may! This is to be said to all people who still think they must not, but must feel sinful and defective at every turn. The good news, however, is that God has made peace through the blood of the cross. That is valid! We are justified and we may have peace with God.

Moreover, it does not only apply to us, but it is also the way God will one day reach the goal with all creation, as it says:

“The entire consummation has its pleasure in dwelling in Him [Sohn seiner Liebe Kol 1,13] and reconciling the universe to Himself (by making peace through the blood of His cross) through Him , whether that on earth or that in the heavens.”
Col 1:19-20

This is what the blood of the cross brings about: Peace that leads to mutual reconciliation. This is what God has in mind and this peace should also accompany and guide us today. Does that seem difficult? Can you grasp this for yourself? Here is Paul’s help:

“We may have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand.”
Rom 5:1-2

So there is access to this peace. We should know this and use it. A lot of things start in our thoughts. If a light comes to us there, we can shine with this light in places that are still dark – bring light in there. Having peace with God is a great good, even when we may not be able to immediately resolve all the stress we personally feel. However, peace with God is a great good because it gives us peace with ourselves and leads us to a life marked by peace. Thus, larger circles are drawn than is said here in a few words.

I wish you grace and peace and that a lasting light may shine for you in it.