Reconciliation • Romans 5:1-21
By Laura Lee Leathers
In October 1953, Doubleday & Company published a book by Dr. Billy Graham titled “Peace with God.” According to Goodreads, this 304-page book has sold millions of copies and has been translated into more than 50 languages.
The book’s message is about spiritual peace, reconciliation, and the Cross. Reverend Graham writes, “God’s peace can be in your heart-right now . . . Whatever the circumstances, whatever the call, whatever the duty, whatever the price, whatever the sacrifice — His strength will be your strength in your hour of need. It’s all yours, and it’s free. You don’t have to work for it . . . Do not put it off.” Billy Graham Bookstore
A New Peace (Rom. 5:1-5)
Referring to the last twelve verses of chapter 4, Paul affirms that the individual who is justified by faith through Christ now lives at peace with God. The greatest news: they have escaped the wrath of God. Now they are living under grace, and herein lies the hope for eternity (v. 2).
Peace with God does not mean absence from afflictions or trials. Paul writes that “we are to rejoice in our afflictions.” Why? Because it produces endurance. Other words would be steadfastness, enduring hardship, and suffering without giving up.
Our afflictions should lead to an endurance that produces proven character. Did you notice the word “proven” (v. 4)? According to the Cambridge Dictionary, “proven means shown to be true, valid, or real by evidence or experience.” As we trust the Lord and live by faith, our lives become a living testimony to God’s peace.
A Christ follower’s proven character produces hope. Biblical hope “is not superficial optimism but the confident assurance of that which will surely come to pass” (Mounce, New American Commentary, vol. 27, p. 135). This hope doesn’t disappoint because we know and experience His love “through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” He uses everything in our lives to nurture us to spiritual maturity.
Also remember what Jesus told His disciples, “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Don’t let your heart be troubled or fearful” (John 14:27). This is the peace that passes all understanding. It guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Phil. 4:7).
A Proven Love (Rom. 5:6-11)
Reconciliation means the restoration of a broken relationship between God and man. Through one man, Adam, sin entered the world. From that point, man became God’s enemy. Yet, at precisely the right time, God sent His only Son, Jesus, who willingly died for the ungodly. Jesus bridged the gap between a Holy, righteous, just God and sinful man.
Two more times, Paul emphasizes, “Christ died for us,” and it took “the death of His Son” to be reconciled to God. We are saved by His life. There is nothing we can do to “get right” with God; humanity is helpless.
I love the way this section ends in the pupil book, “It is worth noting that our reconciliation to God was initiated by God, accomplished by Christ, and is received by us. Jesus is the reconciler; we are the objects of His reconciliation” (Lifeway, Personal Study Guide, p. 42).
A Growing Grace (Rom. 5:18-21)
Warren Wiersbe* states that verses twelve through twenty-one are the very heart of this letter. He notes that the word “one” is used eleven times and the word “reign” five times. And then he writes, “This means that in Jesus Christ we have gained much more than we ever lost in Adam!”
Notice the contrasts of Adam and Christ. One trespass brought condemnation for everyone, but “through one righteous act there is justification leading to life for everyone.” Then there is one man’s disobedience and one man’s obedience.
Next, there is the contrast between the law and grace. The Law through Moses brought a heightened awareness of sin. But grace, God’s plan from the very beginning, “multiplied even more.”
Rejoice and give thanks, that “grace will reign through righteousness, resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
*Be Right, How to Be Right with God, Yourself, and Others, by Warren W. Wiersbe (1977)
Leathers is a member of First Baptist Church, Lexington.
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