Peace With God: The Foundation Of Following Jesus — Romans 5:1 Series

Peace with God: The Foundation of Following Jesus — Romans 5:1

Introduction: The Peace Everyone Is Looking For

In the 21st century, humanity is searching desperately for peace.

People pursue peace through mindfulness, through therapy, through wealth, through relationships, and even through political ideologies. Entire industries are built around the promise of inner calm.

And yet anxiety levels are rising. Depression is increasing. Fear grips societies.

Why?

Because the deepest problem in the human heart is not psychological — it is spiritual.

The greatest conflict in the universe is not between nations.

It is between sinful humanity and a holy God.

The Apostle Paul speaks directly to that problem in 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.”

This verse is one of the most powerful summaries of the Gospel in all Scripture.

Tonight we will see that true discipleship begins with peace with God.

1. Justified by Faith — Our Greatest Need

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.”

Paul begins with the word “Therefore.”

Whenever you see therefore in Scripture, you must ask what it is there for.

Romans 1–4 has been explaining the human condition.

Paul tells us:

All have sinned (Romans 3:23)

No one is righteous (Romans 3:10)

We cannot save ourselves by works of the law.

But then Paul introduces the glorious doctrine of justification by faith.

The phrase “made right” translates the Greek word: d??a??? (dikaioo)

It means:

To declare righteous

To pronounce legally justified

To acquit in a courtroom.

This is a legal declaration from God Himself.

Not that we become perfect instantly, but that through Christ God declares us righteous.

The Roman church consisted of both Jews and Gentiles.

Jewish believers were accustomed to thinking righteousness came through the Law of Moses.

Paul makes it clear: Righteousness comes only through faith in Jesus Christ.

Romans 3:23–24 (NLT): “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.”

“Grace” — ????? (charis)

Meaning:

Unmerited favour

A gift that cannot be earned.

Discipleship begins with humility.

You cannot follow Jesus until you realise you need to be rescued by Him.

Tim Keller once said:

“The gospel is this: we are more sinful and flawed in ourselves than we ever dared believe, yet at the same time we are more loved and accepted in Jesus Christ than we ever dared hope.”

That is the tension of the Gospel.

You are worse than you think.

But in Christ you are more loved than you can imagine.

Imagine standing in a courtroom guilty of a crime you actually committed.

The evidence is overwhelming.

The judge pronounces the sentence.

But then someone steps forward and says: “I will take the punishment instead.”

The judge accepts the payment and declares you free.

That is justification.

Jesus took our punishment so that we could receive His righteousness.

2. Peace with God — The Greatest Gift

Romans 5:1 says: “We have peace with God.”

Notice something important.

It does not say the peace of God.

It says peace with God.

Before salvation, Scripture says we are enemies of God.

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

“Peace” — e????? (eirene) Meaning: Harmony, Reconciliation, The end of hostility.

This word reflects the Hebrew concept ??????? (shalom), meaning complete restoration and wholeness.

Jesus did not simply improve our lives.

He reconciled us to God.

Colossians 1:19–20 (NLT): “For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ, and through him God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross.”

“Reconciled” — ?p??ata???ss? (apokatallasso)

Meaning: To restore a broken relationship completely.

John Piper wrote: “The ultimate good of the gospel is seeing and savouring the glory of God in Christ.”

Peace with God means more than forgiveness.

It means restored relationship.

We are brought back into fellowship with the God who created us.

In Luke 15, the prodigal son returns home expecting rejection.

But the father runs to meet him.

He embraces him.

He restores him.

That is what God does for sinners who return through Christ.

3. Through Jesus Christ Our Lord — The Only Way

Romans 5:1 says: “We have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.”