Rev Renewal
Rev Renewal“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. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. (Romans 5:1-2)”
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8)”
What brings us a sense of peace? What allows us to be at ease with what might be happening around us? Is it an item we have in our home? Is it a specific place we can go to? Perhaps it is being surrounded by specific people. For Paul, as he went about his missionary work, it might be hard to grasp that he experienced anything but peace. From being shipwrecked, imprisoned, beaten, and verbally attacked, Paul’s life was not one of peace and ease. However, as he writes to the people of Rome, he expresses an element of peace that is present – for him and for them as well.
“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ”. Paul informs the Romans that they can have peace with God because of Jesus Christ. Christ’s death and resurrection brought about a justification. However, it was not about the actions or anything they did on their own. Through faith in Christ’s work, they would be able to experience a sense of peace with God. This peace is far greater than any temporal peace the world might be able to offer.
Just like the Romans, we too can experience this peace. Despite the ongoing earthly struggles and challenges in which it can be hard to fully experience a sense of peace, the promises of God provide a sense of hope. “And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God” Paul declared. No matter what we may experience here on earth, we are able to rest in the hope of glory of God. We have been redeemed from the powers of sin, death, and evil. This redemption, Paul reminds us, came to us not after we had it all figured out.
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. God’s love for us is not dependent on how well we are doing in life. We do not have it all together for us to receive God’s love. God’s love has and always will be available. This is good news, and what provides us the opportunity to experience peace even when we are surrounded by chaos.
As our world continues to be filled with events and situations that are less than perfect or pleasant, as we may be struggling to find a sense of true peace within our earthly elements, may we embrace the peace which God offers to us. May we know the truth that we have been justified by God and as God’s children, we are able to live in this world with the hope of God’s glory. Alleluia
Blessings,
Pastor Arlyn ><>