Peace and Joy

  • Mike Rydman
  • Feb 14, 2009

Peace and Joy

 

Reading through Romans Chapter 5 has given me great cause to stop and ponder the realities behind Paul's words written to a church he had never visited. After taking the first four chapters to talk about how God is both "Justifier" and "The One Who Justifies" us who believe Him, Paul then moves on to the impact that new justification has, or should have on our lives here on this planet.

 

In my own case, I came out of a church tradition that emphasized eternity as all glory and bliss. Even as a little kid in Sunday school I was encouraged to look forward to Jesus' return and the culmination of a "new heaven and new earth." However, I was able to partially imagine the heavenly scene to the exclusion of the "new earth." The emphasis in my church was also somewhat apocalyptic, meaning (at least in this case) that we were to expect everything to go really bad before it got good again with the return of Jesus to reign forever. All this to say, our present life and circumstances were to be seen as somewhat negative while we looked forward in faith to the big positive.

 

However, at the beginning of Chapter 5 of Romans, Paul doles out a couple of words we've heard, but sadly rarely experience: "Peace" and "Joy." 

 

"Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through Him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God." Romans 5:1-2 (ESV)

 

"Peace" is defined, at least by most of us as the "absence of conflict," and this isn't bad for a working definition. As Paul would say it, we now have an un-conflicted relationship with the God of the Universe because of the death and resurrection of Jesus. We are also given "access by faith into this grace in which we stand." We can stand before God unashamed, not because we have not (or do not) do shameful things in rebellion against Him, but because we are given Jesus' own standing before God the Father. It is on His merit, and not our own that we can stand before God as forgiven and thus justified.

 

Paul then goes on to say that the initial and lasting response from us should be one of uncontrollable, boundless joy. "Joy" is an attitude of choice, and has nothing to do with circumstances. In verse 3 Paul goes on to say that we "rejoice in our sufferings" because of how God uses those sufferings to develop Jesus-like character in those of us who are already justified and enjoying peace with God.

 

So why is it so many of us live lives that seem void of real peace and lasting joy? I, myself am plagued with a "Type A" personality. I am often consumed with the cares of the day, the many things I need to accomplish, and a lasting sense of dissatisfaction over the results of my labors. Our church is never big enough, our people are never godly enough, and we're never having the impact in our community I think we should have.

To be honest, I rarely feel peaceful, and often confuse joy with "happiness."

 

Paul would contest my reasons and rationale for joy. He would tell me as he told his first Roman readers that joy is based on the "hope of the glory of God." Practically, what does that mean? It means our joy is based on what we see God doing, and on what He has promised to do. My joy has really nothing to do with my own desires being satisfied, or my labors being rewarded with positive results. I am not called to be successful. I am called to be faithful, while enjoying a peaceful relationship with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and experiencing joy in seeing the hand of God upon my life, upon our church and upon our city.

 

Peace and joy are for now, in this age, at this time. God has given us peace with Him through Jesus, and responding with joy is what we were created for in the first place. Joy is never based on circumstances. It is always based on Jesus.