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.”
This peace comes through Jesus alone.
John 14:6 (NLT): “Jesus told him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.’”
“The way” — ?d?? (hodos) Meaning: The road, The path, The means of access.
Jesus is not a way.
He is the way.
The early church lived in a pluralistic Roman Empire.
People worshipped many gods.
Yet Christians boldly proclaimed: Salvation is found in Christ alone.
That message is just as counter-cultural today.
Acts 4:12 (NLT): “There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.”
Max Lucado wrote: “God loves you just the way you are, but he refuses to leave you that way. He wants you to be just like Jesus.”
Jesus saves us and transforms us.
That is discipleship.
Imagine standing on the edge of a great canyon.
On the other side is life with God.
But there is no way across.
Religion tries to build ladders.
Morality tries to jump across.
Philosophy tries to imagine the canyon away.
But only one bridge reaches the other side.
The cross of Jesus Christ.
The Gospel Message
The heart of Christianity is the Gospel.
Scripture teaches:
Humanity sinned against God.
Sin separates us from Him.
The penalty of sin is death.
But God loved us.
Jesus Christ came into the world.
He lived the perfect life we could not live.
He died on the cross for our sins.
He was buried.
And on the third day He rose from the dead.
1 Corinthians 15:3–4 (NLT): “Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said.”
Because of this:
Anyone who repents and trusts in Jesus is forgiven and justified before God.
Application: Following Jesus in the Modern World
What does Romans 5:1 mean for disciples today?
1. Live in the confidence of grace
If you are in Christ, your standing with God is secure.
Romans 8:1 (NLT):“So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.”
You do not live under condemnation.
You live under grace.
2. Walk daily in reconciliation with God
Discipleship is not merely believing once.
It is walking daily with Christ.
Prayer.
Scripture.
Obedience.
Holiness.
3. Share the message of peace
The world is desperate for peace.
But the peace they need is reconciliation with God.
We are ambassadors of that message.
2 Corinthians 5:20 (NLT): “So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us.”
Call to Action
If you are a believer today:
Live like someone who has peace with God.
Do not return to the anxiety of trying to earn God’s love.
Rest in Christ.
Walk with Him.
Follow Him.
Serve Him.
Invitation to Salvation
But perhaps someone listening today does not yet have peace with God.
Religion cannot give it.
Good works cannot give it.
Only Jesus can.
Today you can place your faith in Christ.
Repent of your sin.
Trust in Jesus as Saviour and Lord.
Receive His forgiveness.
Receive His righteousness.
Receive His peace.
Conclusion:
Romans 5:1 gives us the foundation of discipleship.
“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.”
Peace with God is not earned.
It is received through faith in Jesus Christ.
And once you have that peace, you can truly begin the journey of following Him.
Benediction:
May the God of peace fill your heart with assurance through Jesus Christ.
May you walk in the freedom of forgiveness.
May you live boldly as disciples of the risen Lord.
And may the peace you have received from God shine through your life so that others may come to know the saving grace of Jesus Christ.
Amen.
