This morning in Men’s Bible Study we looked at Romans 5-6. Yes, I know that is a lot, but as I reminded the guys at the start of the lesson, “I am not here to unravel all the finer points of Paul’s systematic theology we are just hitting some of the highlights, ideas that have touched my soul as a fellow-traveller and fellow-reader of the scriptures.”

But I was there, I think now looking back at our discussion, to demystify Paul’s writing. The construction of Paul’s thinking in Romans can be intimidating but – and I will hang my hat on this – the entire book comes down to the point Paul made in Romans 5:1b-2a, namely, that we stand in This Grace.

We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand…

It’s not just about defining grace, or even experiencing it – grace is something we can stand in.

The goal of faith (of any religion if you will) is to experience peace with God. We get this peace through Jesus, who has essentially taken us by the hand and led us to this place where we can stand in grace.

That’s it, right there. Our response, then, is to live in gratitude and in joy. And we live differently because we are now free.

I have to go back to the swimming analogy again for this. Jesus does not simply throw us a lifeline and pull us out. We are still here, we live in this broken world. But the response of many people is to thrash around with one hand while grabbing at the line with another.

That’s not what God wants. Jesus does two things: he teaches us to swim and he takes away our fear. Point is we can’t really swim that well if we are still afraid.

So when we “stand in this grace” we can live with confidence because gratitude and joy now define our lives. Not guilt. Not fear. Not slavish devotion to the law. Not joyless religion but grateful, joyful peace with God.

This is what Jesus gives us. And Jesus has also given us one-another, a community of love and support and encouragement and more grace.

That’s it. That’s Romans in a nutshell – DEREK

Jesus – “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” – John 14:27