Go! And Live In The Peace Of Justification - Romans 5:1 Series

Go! And Live in the Peace of Justification - Romans 5:1

Romans 5:1 (NLT) — “Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.”

Introduction: The Search for Real Peace

Every generation searches for peace. We talk about world peace, inner peace, and even peace of mind. Yet, despite all our progress, our world is still restless. Anxiety, conflict, guilt, and fear dominate human experience. But Romans 5:1 declares the greatest truth the human soul can ever know — real peace is possible. Not the kind the world gives through distraction or denial, but peace with God, purchased and guaranteed by Jesus Christ.

Tonight’s message in our “Go! And…” series is titled “Go! And Live in the Peace of Justification.”

Paul begins Romans 5 with a “therefore” — a bridge word that looks back at everything he’s just said. The first four chapters of Romans describe humanity’s guilt before God and the reality that no one can earn righteousness through works of the law. But now, in chapter 5, Paul unfolds the glorious result of being justified by faith — peace with God.

1. The Meaning of Justification – Declared Righteous by Faith

Let’s start with the phrase: “Since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith…”

The Greek verb Paul uses here is d??a??? (dikaioo) — it means to declare righteous, to pronounce just, or to acquit. It’s a legal term, drawn from the courtroom. When a sinner believes in Jesus Christ, God acts as Judge and declares that person righteous, not because of their works, but because of the finished work of Christ.

This is not a gradual process; it’s a decisive declaration. At the moment of faith, the gavel of heaven comes down and God says:

“Not guilty. Righteous. Forgiven.”

The righteousness that is credited is not ours. It is the righteousness of Christ. Paul explains this in 2 Corinthians 5:21 (NLT): “For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.”

Theologians call this the great exchange — our sin laid upon Christ, and His righteousness credited to us.

As R.T. Kendall once said, “Justification means more than forgiveness. It means God sees me ‘just as if I had never sinned.’”

And friends, that truth should overwhelm us with gratitude! Forgiveness removes our guilt, but justification restores our standing before a holy God.

Stop trying to earn God’s approval. You already have it in Christ. Your righteousness before God does not depend on your performance this week — it depends on Jesus’ perfect obedience on the cross. That means you can stop striving and start resting in grace.

2. The Result of Justification – Peace with God

Paul continues: “We have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.”

This peace is not subjective — it’s not merely “feeling peaceful.” It’s objective, describing a new relationship between God and the believer.

Before salvation, we were God’s enemies. Romans 5:10 (NLT) says: “For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies…”

The Hebrew equivalent for peace is ??????? (shalom) — a word far richer than the English “peace.” It means wholeness, completeness, reconciliation. Through the cross, Christ didn’t just calm our fears — He ended the war between a holy God and sinful humanity.

Tim Keller wrote, “The peace of God is not the absence of trouble but the presence of God in every situation.”

And I would add — peace with God is the foundation of the peace of God. You cannot experience the peace of God in your heart until you first have peace with God in your soul.

Imagine two nations at war for centuries — bloodshed, hatred, hostility. Then one day, a peace treaty is signed, not because the guilty side suddenly became good, but because someone paid the price to end the war. The cross of Christ is heaven’s peace treaty — written in His blood.

Are you living as if you still have to make peace with God? You can’t — Jesus already has. Live like someone who is reconciled, not condemned.

3. The Source of Our Peace – Jesus Christ Our Lord

Paul emphasises: “because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.”

This peace isn’t self-produced — it’s Christ-bought. Ephesians 2:14 (NLT) says:

“For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us.”

That phrase — “Christ himself” — tells us that peace is not a principle, it’s a Person. Jesus is our peace. Through His death, burial, and resurrection, He satisfied divine justice and removed the barrier of sin that separated us from God.