Peace With God and Standing in Grace
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand Romans 5:1,2
Paul has explained the need for justification (1:18 – 3:20) and the way of justification (3:21 – 4:25). From the firm foundation of our being ‘justified through faith,’ he will now describe the results of the new status God has given us in Christ in six bold assertions:
(1) we have peace with God (5:1)
The first blessing of justification is ‘peace with God’ (5:1), our reconciled relationship with Him. Our English word “peace” often has a negative sense: the absence of hostility. But the Old Testament concept of shalom was much more positive. This peace is the objective state of harmony we now experience with God.
Justification and reconciliation belong together. God does not declare the status of righteousness on us without at the same time establishing peace between us and Him and becoming our friend. This peace is ours through ‘our Lord Jesus Christ’ (5:1) who was both delivered to death and raised from the dead (4:25) for us. This is the heart of the peace the prophets saw as the greatest blessing of the messianic age, the peace of the kingdom of God, brought about by Jesus Christ, the Prince of peace.
(2) we stand in grace (5:2)
‘We have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand’ (5:2). We would expect Paul to say ‘we have constant access to God’ but what he says is that we have constant access ‘into this grace.’ Grace is normally understood as God’s free and unmerited favour, His undeserved, unsought-after and unconditional love; but Paul here describes, not grace as a quality, but more a ‘sphere’ of God’s grace. It is a state in which the believer lives, a privileged position of acceptance by Him. The word ‘access’ suggests more than just an initial right to come into someone’s presence. In earlier generations it might have been said of someone, “He has access to the king,” meaning they continue to enjoy the right and privilege of coming and going from the king’s presence. This is the right and privilege we enjoy with our God.
Paul says two more things about this grace. First, ‘we have gained access’ into this grace (perfect tense: a completed action). We have not taken the initiative to enter. In fact we are unfit to enter so someone else has brought us in.
Secondly, we have taken our firm stand (again perfect tense: a completed action) in this grace. Ours is not a periodic approach to God. We live in His presence. Our relationship with God is not sporadic but is continuous. In days of old one might fall in and out of favour with a king. Our standing before our God is secured by God’s unchanging grace. Nothing can separate us from the love of God (8:38f).
Do you take your stand on your right of access into God’s presence? This access has been secured for you by Christ’s death and resurrection. Will you stand boldly in the sphere of grace Christ has brought you into, this privileged position of acceptance? Answer according to biblical promise and not your feelings.