"Therefore" is an awkward word to start a chapter with, but that is what we find as we turn to Romans chapter 5. Someone - probably and English teacher or a preacher - told me tat whenever you see the word therefore, back up and ask find the base the next thought or sentence is about to build on. In this case, the "therefore" thought is building on the first four chapters. It is almost like Paul is taking a deep breath after the thesis he has presented in the first four chapters to reveal the target he has been aiming at. And what an important target it is!
"Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ," Romans 5:1 NRSV
Peace with God. What an amazing, undersold concept for the Christian Church. I do not know anyone that would not like to find peace in their lives. Peace here expressed by the Greek word eirene mirrors the Hebrew word and concept of shalom, or wholeness. Peace here is not just as an absence of conflict, but so much more. Here we find peace conveying a sense of completeness, Godly contentment, justice all around. Peace. Therefore, since we are justified by faith we are made whole, we are completed, we find justice for all who have any need. Peace. I think the Church today is missing a great opportunity to market this faith that brings peace and wholeness to a warring broken humanity.
This chapter is rich with conversation starters and study material. The call by Paul to grow up in faith and give thanks even for suffering. The substitutionary death of Jesus. The fall of the first Adam by which all is lost and the gift of the second Adam (Jesus) through which all is restored. But today, I will concentrate on peace.
About Me
- Pastor Bill
- I am a committed follower of Jesus Christ, a happy husband, father and grandfather!
5 comments:
"...the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us".
Poured out...not just dribbled, or spilled or given conservatively...POURED OUT!
I picture milk being poured out or rain pouring down...a fat, constant, steady stream of love from our Father in Heaven.
Poured out...Praise the Lord for His love and blessings which fall down like rain!
Neat. I missed that as I read through this morning - love poured out! It has an extravagant sound - and abundance of love. We shouldn't be stingy whn we have this kind of abundance to share.
Bill
This is really an incredible chapter (Who am I kidding; they all are!).
I especially remember Romans 5:3, and how it helped a camper understand a possiblity for why God allowed her to have ADD. It speaks of how we rejoice in our sufferings, because sufferings produce perseverence. We all suffer, one way or another - but God has a reason for everything!
Sara and I were noticing as we read this that in verses 6-8 Paul focuses on the timing of Christ's death. That can go pretty deep. God made time, so he can surely time things right also. At just the right time, Jesus came into my life.
The law - these verses are great for all those kids who come to me and say "whose idea was it to make (insert something illegal here) illegal? Why should I listen to them?" It is clear that God has allowed us to know sin, in our hearts, law or no law.... (Sorry kids, you can't blame the government).
Bill, I love your ideas about peace. How can you overlook that? Certianly, in our busy lives, we may just overlook the idea of peace because it seems like such a dream. College just started for Sara and me, so everything is so hectic right now (plus the wedding plans...). It's so incredible to take the time to think of the peace of GOD. I don't know a single person who wouldn't love that in their lives. Thanks for emphasizing that, Bill.
God bless, all!
From Liverpool,
Marshall
Thanks for your input to this group Marshall. I remember the craziness of college, and wedding plans. Believe it or not, we look back on those days and smile. Perhaps its dementia, but I prefer to see it as love.
Try to enjoy the process. It has taken Shari almost 25 years to help me learn that - you are going to do GREAT!
Bill
I like how Paul intertwines an extremely rational/logical argument along with words that are just poetic and emotionally moving - he can certainly reach a broad audience that way. He just is so logical - point a, b, c, and on, like God's grace is a giant math proof. This makes me think of Bruce Webster, who was a math major before being a pastor, and used to show me his concept of heaven on an x-y graph ;)
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