Unity

The Apostle Paul writes: “Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with G-d through our Lord Yeshua Ha'Meshiach (Jesus Christ)." (Romans 5:1). We have peace with G-d.   That means we were never at war with G-d. But Paul does say to his readers, “Therefore, since we are justified . . . we have peace” Why does he say that?  Maybe the question doesn't really occur to you today.  Then again perhaps it should? That's for you to decide.

When we think about the many ways that people today avoid being close to others or try to relieve their problems with using sexual relationships wrong, alcohol, drugs, or some other addiction, we begin to see how, but turning away from G-d occurs. Paul, even though he wrote nearly two thousand years ago, speaks to us today about our need of peace with G-d.

This part, the opening of Romans shifts a little but both ends are equally important here. It moves from Paul’s writings of the importance of Abraham to the Christian faith, and then shifts into Paul’s talk on how the Christian life should be. This passage helps us understand the importance for peace with G-d. As sinners, elsewhere described as “ungodly,” we are not even worthy of Him.

Most people want to live in some kind of love or cooperation with their neighbors. When we come to a crossing point, it bothers us. How many times have we had a falling-out with someone because of something relatively minor that happened? Because of our pride - and also because of the other person’s pride - getting back together, to say, or seeing things the same way again is difficult. Most of the time, we just make enemies because we do not really know how to make peace.

 

Maybe the same is true of our relationship with G-d. We want to live in harmony and peace with G-d, walk with Him, but somehow we have an uneasy feeling that something is not well in our relationship with G-d. Look at it, though,  Paul make it clear to us how it is possible between G-d and G-d’s creatures in this passage to be together.

 

I want to note two of many important lessons the Romans text teaches us. The first is pretty simple. Paul wants the readers to understand that G-d starts our peace with Himself even before we supply anything to the relationship.

What does that mean? Let me tell you.  Paul wrote, “For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. . . . But G-d proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us” (Romans 5:6, 8).

The second important aspect of this passage is that there is a "circular effect" in what Paul writes. Paul starts with the hope in G-d and continues through suffering, then he talks about endurance, then character, and back to hope, where he started. Just like peace does, hope begins in G-d and ends in G-d. We can go through a whole lot of things and different ages will pass by but we end with hope and peace (Jer. 29:11).

Because of Yeshua's death on the cross we can be at peace with G-d, not be ashamed or ungodly like, and can walk with Him - And when we fall, G-d will pick us right back up again!