Romans 5:1

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore  So Paul is using this word to tell us to look back at what has been written for a cause, and then, just to make sure, he gives it to us.

we have been justified To be justified means to be shown innocent, or for us to be righteous. What is it that we really want out of life? Not what do we want now, but what do we really want? I think that one thing that would become ultimate, if we knew for sure there was a judgment day, would be to be found righteous. To know that heaven was our destiny. Paul is sure. Sure there is a heaven, and sure of his being found righteous. Not because he is perfect or sinless, he even thought of himself as the greatest of sinners. No, it is his faith that justifies him. So now, Paul can have peace with God and with himself because of that faith.

peace In order for peace to exist, its opposite must also exist.

with God  Peace is not easy or in all circumstance. Peace with God means emnity with the world. We have to make a choice.

through our Lord Jesus Christ  No other way. I had an interesting experience this week. I was doing a 20 minute persentation for a class I am taking. During the presentation, which was to other teachers on the use of manipulatives in the classroom, I mentioned Jesus as an example of someone who taught by making connections to what people already know. The class was critiquing each person. One person wrote, "Keep Jesus out of the public schools!" I thought, "You can't do that, because He is everywhere." Just because some will not acknowledge Him does not take away from who He is. And He is the way.