Chapter 5 of Romans begins with “therefore.” Paul is going to describe the benefits of being justified by faith as a gift and not as something we have to work for. Justified, remember from last week, means we are forgiven, redeemed, have credit with God, are covered with his love and our record is wiped clean. Paul continues. Because we are justified, just as if we never sinned, we have peace with God.
5 Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand;
We may not appreciate the relative peace we have in the United States but we need only turn on the news and see the pictures coming out of Ukraine and listen to the nightly pleads for aid from their President, to know peace is a gift to be highly desired. Through peace the verse says that we can stand in the grace we have obtained. We do not have to live in bombed out apartment buildings, huddle in subways, or mourn the anxiety of not knowing where loved ones are. Loss of peace in any area of our life is horrible.
Let us take a few minutes to try some breathing exercises to remind ourselves that we have eternal peace with God. As we inhale, thank God for peace. As you exhale, give God something you are concerned about. Keep repeating this exercise, turning over to God your concerns for self, family, friends, and the world we live in. God is listening. Communication channels are open because you are at peace with the God who holds all our lives. Thank you, Lord.
On the Way to Wonder 