The Spoils of Surrender- Rom. 5:1-5

This Independence Day many will adorn themselves with red, white, and blue, and gather around a grill with family and friends to celebrate the victory our nation won over England during the Revolutionary War. Our country’s history has been marked by many victories over some incredible foes and on days like the fourth, we ought to take great pride in our nation’s uncanny strength in the midst of  struggle. For all of its faults, the United States of America is still the greatest nation on earth and her greatness can be attributed to many battles fought and won.

However, as we celebrate our Nation’s birth this year, I want us also to celebrate something even more important—our spiritual rebirth. Interestingly, our salvation and all of its associated blessings did not come as a result of us winning anything. In fact, the benefits of salvation come precisely when we lose the struggle we are in with God because of our sin and surrender ourselves over to Him. Though it may not be common to celebrate those who surrender, this is exactly how salvation works. Those willing to forfeit everything to the Lord will enjoy all kinds of spoils—spoils worth celebrating. So let’s do just that! This Independence Day, let us celebrate what our dependence on the Lord offers by looking at five benefits of salvation in Romans 5:1-5.

1) Peace-5:1

“Therefore” in 5:1 connects the contents of Romans 1-4 to the remainder of the book. In fact, the opening phrase of chapter 5—“Therefore, having been justified by faith” acts as a summary of what has been disclosed in the letter to the Romans thus far. In chapters 1-4 Paul has made the following points: 1) we are all sinners in need of justification (see 1:18-3:20), 2) justification is not by the law, tradition, or circumcision (see 3:21-4:15), 3) justification comes by faith (see 4:16-25). With this firmly in view, Paul wants to discuss the present and ongoing effects or benefits of one’s justification here in 5:1-5. All of the specs of salvation, the “trim,” if you will, of this incredible gift, are dependent on whether or not one is justified. 

If one is justified, they have “peace with God” (5:1b). However, make no mistake, Paul is not talking about internal tranquility that manifests itself in the “warm fuzzies.” He means to depict an external and objective peace that exists because of a new relationship between God and those who turn to him in faith (Mounce, 133). Paul talks about this peace in Colossians:

Colossians 1:21-22-“And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, yet He has now reconciled you in HIs fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach”

To have “peace with God” in these and other contexts means to enjoy a relationship with God. This is only possible because the enmity and hostility that once existed between mankind and the Divine has been removed.

Many people do not realize that indifference to God is not an option. When God looks upon the earth He sees two different kinds of people—those who are at war with Him and those who are at peace with Him. Many other people do not realize that to be at war with God can take on many forms. If someone is still in their sin, they are at war with God. If someone is trying to earn their salvation, they are at war with God. If someone believes that the law or tradition will save, they are at war with God. It is not just he obviously lost that are still at war with God—the pharisaic legalist can also be found in the enemy’s ranks.  Only those who have been justified by faith stand with the Lord in peaceful relationship.

Such a relationship is not brought on by anything that the believer does. Instead, this peace is brought about “through our Lord Jesus Christ”—the object of their faith. Paul explains how this works in Ephesians:

Ephesians 2:14-15-“For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace,…”

Jesus is the bridge by which man can clear the chasm of sin and meet the Lord. No longer do people 

have to be at war with God, Jesus has won the war and made it possible for people everywhere to have peace with Him!

2) Reconciliation-5:2

Not only does the believer enjoy peace as a benefit of salvation/justification, they also enjoy associated reconciliation. In fact, the realization of peace makes possible a reconciliation between God and man—“through whom we also have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand” (5:2a).

According to this verse, reconciliation is accomplished the same way peace was—“through whom [Christ].” Christ’s activity has purchased peace and allowed reconciliation. In other words, Not only did Jesus fight and win the war between God and man as general of salvation, he has played the part of chief diplomat in arranging an introduction between these two formerly opposed nation-states. The introduction made between God and man is made “by faith” and leads the two into a relationship in which “grace” is bestowed.

Following WWII, most of Europe was in shambles. Those formerly Nazis occupied regions were especially hard hit, leaving people of all kinds in great disarray and destitution. Though the war had ended, if left to themselves, those in these areas would have struggled, suffered, and starved. However, in a great display of grace and goodwill, America wrote and passed the Marshall plan in which America gave $13 billion (approximately $130 billion in current dollar value as of June 2016) in economic support to help rebuild Western European economies after the end of World War II. These funds did not only go to help countries that were allies during the war. They also aided most parts of formerly Nazis-occupied Germany! This historical example of reconciliation and grace is similar to what Jesus makes possible for the believer.

After successfully ending the war between God and man for those who are justified, Jesus provides added blessings of reconciliation and grace that work to build up what was once destroyed. As a result, the believer no longer stoops under the wreckage of sin, he “stands” tall in the grace of God—“this grace in which we stand” (5:2a)

Those who embrace this reconciliation “exult it he hope of the glory of God” (5:2b). Though, as Paul said earlier in Romans, “all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God,” through the provisions Christ has made, believers can know the glory of God again and rejoice. What else can they do? They were once at war with God. Now they know peace! They were once estranged from the Lord. Now they have a relationship! “The fall of humankind did not put an end to God’s plans once and for all but rather necessitated an eternally significant detour through the cross and the empty tomb. God’s plan that we should reflect his glory is not being realized in the lives of obedient believers” (Mounce, 135).

If we understand just how incredible our justification is—that peace reigns where war once ruled and where reconciliation has usurped acute separation—we too would celebrate jubilantly, we too would “exult in hope of the glory of God.” 

3) Perseverance-5:3

Paul cannot contain his excitement as he progresses through this passage. His eagerness to list more benefits that salvation provides can be heard at the opening of verse 3—“and not only this,” (5:3a). The third benefit Paul discloses of salvation is perseverance—“we also exult in our tribulations” (5:3b). In other words, the joy of reconciliation and peace that salvation affords is so compelling and so powerful that believers are even able to rejoice in the tribulations of life.

However, an additional reason believers are able to rejoice in tribulation is that they “know that tribulation brings about perseverance” (5:3b). For the lost or legalistic—tribulation breeds despair. For the redeemed, tribulation yields perseverance.

2 Corinthians 6:3-10-“… as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.”

James 1:2-4- “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

1 Peter 1:6-7 -“In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;”

Paul, James, and Peter are all agreed: for those who are saved, trials and tribulations are not encumbrances designed to discourage and destroy, they are opportunities for believers to build character and glorify God! What an awesome benefit it is for the redeemed to know that their tribulations are not without purpose and, in the long run, produce growth and strength! This is something the lost do not have. For them, tribulation is meaningless.

4) Hope-5:4

Such perseverance introduces another benefit of salvation—a hopeful character—“and perseverance, proven character…” (5:4a). The Greek term that Paul uses here is dokimhn. Paul is the only one who uses this word in the New Testament and it describes the kind of character that has been proven by trial. In the life of a believer, tribulations suffered produce such character. In fact, in one translation of this verse (the NEB) it reads, “endurance brings proof that we have stood the test.”

Many of the military commercials one hears on the radio or sees on the television depict simple character qualities that are, in most cases, admirable or desirous—honor, pride, unity, strength, etc. These are promoted alongside footage of what looks like a struggle of some kind (enemy fire, natural disasters, etc.). Why? Because people associate certain character qualities with overcoming obstacles. The viewer is supposed to believe that these Marines or National Guard troops have become men and women of honor, strength, and pride because they have overcome incredible odds or made it through perilous tribulations. The same is true in the Christian life.   

The experience of coming through a time of testing and growing as a result produces hope. After all, if Jesus has saved the believer from the war between God and man and carries him through each and every subsequent trial, it should give him hope that Christ will continue to carry him in a similar way until the end. The “confidence in God’s ability and willingness to bring [people] through difficult times leads to an even brighter hope for that which lies beyond” (Mounce, 135). This “hope” is not a wish or hunch, but a confident expectation of what will take place as though it were as good as already accomplished.

This benefit is yet another distinguishing characteristic of someone who has been justified before God. God’s people are people at peace, people in relationship with God, people who persevere, and people who have a hopeful character. People who still belong to the world, people who are still at war with God, are troubled, estranged from God, prone to giving up, and despairing.

5) Transformation-5:5

One final benefit that Paul elucidates is a heart filled with the love of God—“and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts” (5:5a). God fills the hearts of men that were once cold and hardened by sin with his overflowing love. This is yet another distinguishing mark of God’s people and it was predicted in the Old Testament.

Ezekiel 36:26-“Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.”

This “heart of flesh” depicts a living heart that responds to God’s life-giving power and direction. This kind of heart replaced the failed heart of sin and enmity that is found in God’s natural-born foes.

This new heart comes by means of “the Holy Spirit who was given to us,” (5:5b). Only someone as powerful as God himself is able to breathe life into a dead heart. In a supernatural kind of spiritual open heart surgery, God reanimates the dead tissue of our souls, allowing us to enjoy a new life in his power with God and with others. As a result, none are more alive than those who have been saved by God and given His Spirit.

So What?

With salvation/justification comes peace, reconciliation, hope, perseverance, and transformation. Nothing in this world and nothing that we can do is able to provide these in any compelling way. So how does one acquire salvation/justification along with all of these peripheral blessings? These do not come by winning the war we find ourselves with God, by asserting ourselves, by working our way out of our guilt, or by somehow doing enough good to appease his holiness. These spoils come by surrendering everything over to him. It is the only conflict in which those who surrender are issued the benefits! This Independence Day, may we be reminded to celebrate our dependence on the Lord and, by proxy, enjoy the spoils that come with salvation—the peace we now have with our heavenly Father, the reconciled relationship with have with our God, the hope that informs our daily walk, the perseverance to keep going in the midst of struggle, and the Holy Spirit who strengthens our every step.

Perhaps people who call themselves Christians do not distinguish themselves as such and do not endorse peace, reconciliation, hope, perseverance, and the Holy Spirit in their lives because these believe that salvation is about winning, earning, and posturing.  We must understand that in so doing, people are going to look no different than the world we live in—a world in conflict with God, estranged from God, without any hope, unable to persevere, and lacking the Holy Spirit. What is necessary of God’s people is surrender, and, at least in this case, this is a beautiful thing!