THE NEW LIFE
THE NEW LIFE
ROMANS 5:1-5
Paul now describes the great blessings of justification.
A new section of the letter opens here, and runs on to 8:39. Verses 1-11 anticipate the theme of the whole section.
Peace is the firstfruit of our justification. The rebellion is over. Reconciliation (Colossians 1:20) is won. As Christians, we are no longer at odds with the whole constitution of the universe. We have accepted God’s will. We have set out to become the person God intended us to be. Peace is declared, and part of it is intended to be that peace of mind and heart which has always been humanity’s elusive quest (John 14:1,27). Such is the affirmation of 5:1.
By the same process God is available to us; his power is ours to claim. Nothing alienates or stands between, “so that if he were suddenly to reveal himself we should still know exactly where we stand, and should not have to shrink away from his presence’ (1 John 2:28, JBP). The glory of God, from which humanity fell disastrously short (3:23), is held before us as a goal to reach for, a standing to be won by grace. Such is the hope of 5:2.
Therefore victory comes over anything life can do. It was difficult to follow Christ in Rome. It is difficult today. No easy course is charted. There is persecution, unpopularity, loneliness. But if faith stands firm, there is the assurance that no experience is meaningless, that everything committed to God’s creative hands can turn to good (8:28), and that the fruit of adversity is endurance. Endurance is no passive quality, no crouching under the shield as the “slings and arrows of outrageous fortune” (Shakespeare) rain down. The shield could be a weapon of offense in the ancient armory, and so, too, is the shield of faith. Endurance is active. It is one of the noblest human qualities. Such is the challenge of 5:3. Character: the buffeting of the wind makes the tree strong; sturdiness does not form in a hothouse. If we want to be strong, we must face storms of life. Christ did, and Christians are called to be like him. Such is the prospect of 5:4.
This is no vain hope, for God, now ours to have and to hold, fills life with his presence. His Holy Spirit indwells and sanctifies. His new-given life seeps outwards from the surrendered heart to color thought, word and deed, and to make us like him. Such is the great promise of 5:5.