Romans 5:1-5

I hope you all are doing well. God is good and all the time God is good.

Romans 5:1-5 (NIV)
1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
2 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.
3 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;
4 perseverance, character; and character, hope.
5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

Romans 5:1-2 (MSG)
1 By entering through faith into what God has always wanted to do for us—set us right with him, make us fit for him—we have it all together with God because of our Master Jesus.
2 And that's not all: We throw open our doors to God and discover at the same moment that he has already thrown open his door to us. We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand—out in the wide open spaces of God's grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise.

In chapter four Paul argues vigorously for faith in Christ plus nothing. In chapter five Paul begins to lay out more of the implications of a life lived by faith. Our justification through faith brings us peace with God. The same doctrine is taught by Paul in the book of Ephesians. We have been brought near by Christ's death on the cross. We who were far away are now bought near. Listen to Paul in the letter to Ephesus:

Ephesians 2:12-13 (NIV)
12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world.
13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.

The good news of God is that He has sent His Son to us to fuel reconciliation and peace. None of this makes any sense unless you are acquainted with the history of humanities treatment of God. If you need to read Romans chapter one again, perhaps you can read it in the Message. There is this part of us that just does not want God over us. We run from this relationship and of course the boundaries that go with that relationship. God reached down to us to make peace with us. This is what we can not fathom. God took the first steps and finished the steps. God first loved us and this is how we know love. God revealed Himself to us and this is how we know Him. We have peace with God. You are on speaking terms with our righteous God. This is all brought to us by His grace and we gained access through faith. Are you taking advantage of this new and profound relationship with your maker and savior?