Peace with God (Romans 5:1-11)

Today we read how Paul says that “while we still were sinners Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). That is the heart of the gospel, and it’s the heartbeat of Lent. Christ did not wait for us to be ready, perfect, or spiritually strong. He met us in our weakness and gave himself for us. That is grace—pure and undeserved.

During Lent, we remember that grace again. We remember that nothing we do can add to or take away from the love God has already shown us in Christ. And we remember that this grace holds us steady when life feels uncertain.

Paul gives us a clear and simple word in these verses: because of what Christ has done, we have peace with God. That peace is not something we earn; it is a gift received through faith. Verse 1 says, “Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Justified—made right; faith—the way we receive it; peace—the new relationship that follows.

Lent is a season that helps us notice what separates us from God: our failures, our fears, our self-centeredness. Yet Paul reminds us that the story does not end with separation. He leads us through a series of contrasts that shape Christian hope.

1 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, and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but we also boast in our afflictions, knowing that affliction produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. (Romans 5:1-5)

First, hope grounded in grace rather than feelings. Paul acknowledges the reality of suffering—“we also boast in our sufferings” (v. 3)—but he doesn’t offer cheap optimism. He names a chain: suffering produces endurance; endurance produces character; character produces hope (vv. 3–4). This is not a promise that hardship is always pleasant. It is a promise that hardship, when held in God’s hands, can refine faith and lead to steady hope.

6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Indeed, rarely will anyone die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person someone might actually dare to die. 8 But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us. 9 Much more surely, therefore, since we have now been justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more surely, having been reconciled, will we be saved by his life. 11 But more than that, we even boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. (Romans 5:6-11)

Second, hope anchored in God’s love. Paul doesn’t leave hope as wishful thinking. He points to what God has done: while we were still weak and sinners, Christ died for us (vv. 6–8). If Christ died for us at the height of our brokenness, how much more will God’s love continue to hold us now that we are reconciled? Paul’s question in verse 10 — if we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, how much more will we be saved by his life — reminds us that the resurrection is the living out of the reconciliation that began on the cross.

Third, peace that transforms how we live. To be “at peace with God” (v. 1) changes our relationships—how we treat others, how we face suffering, how we pray. The gift of justification gives us courage to live honestly about our failures and to be honest about our hopes. It frees us from pretending we must earn God’s favor and frees us to serve others out of gratitude.

During Lent, let us practice living into this peace. Simple practices help:

• Admit—take time each day to name the ways you fall short and bring them honestly to God.
• Receive—pray, trusting that God receives you in grace; remind yourself that justification is a gift, not a reward.
• Endure—when difficulties come, hold them with faith that God is shaping endurance and character.
• Hope—cultivate hope by remembering the resurrection: God’s life is greater than any defeat.

This season is not only about giving up things; it is about gaining clearer sight of God’s love. We are justified by faith and so we have peace with God. That peace is steady enough to meet suffering, hopeful enough to face tomorrow, and loving enough to change how we live.

Let us prayer...

Gracious God, thank you for the gift of peace through Jesus Christ. In this Lenten season, help us to receive your grace with open hearts. When we are tempted to hide our faults or to earn your favor by our own strength, remind us that we are justified by faith and restored by your love. Give us patience in suffering, strengthen our character, and fill us with hope that rests on the life of Christ. Teach us to live from gratitude so that we may show your love to others. Let your peace rule our hearts today and always. Amen.

All scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.