As he begins the fifth chapter of his letter to the Romans, Paul moves on from explaining our need to be right with God and how we can be right with God to setting forth the fruits of our justification – that is, the benefits that the Lord brings to us when we are reconciled to Him by faith. Paul starts with “Peace with God” (Romans 5:1-5), which is not the sense of peace we have from God (often called in the Bible “the peace of God”), but rather the truth that we are no longer enemies of the Lord. Once we believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and trust in the work that He has completed to bring us to God, we are at peace with God. What a great blessing that is! It allows us to have an eternal view of life, and to stand in the grace of God, even in the midst of trials and suffering.

I. What the Lord Gives to Us
A. Peace
B. Access
C. Hope

II. What the Lord Brings About in Us
A. Rejoicing in Sufferings
B. Growing Us in Christ
C. Understanding of His Love

Questions for consideration: (1) Why is it important that we see peace with God as something objective rather than subjective? (2) What is the access we have been given to God? What does that mean for our daily life? (3) What is the hardest suffering that you have been through? How can this passage help you as you go through future sufferings?