The film Churchill dramatizes the four days before D-Day when the Allied Forces staged a massive attack on the beaches of German-occupied France. General Dwight Eisenhower was coordinating "Operation Overlord,” but Winston Churchill, Prime Minister of Great Britain, believed too many men would die while the Allied leaders remained safely behind the front lines. Churchill stated that he would accompany the men into battle until King George reminded him that everyone plays important roles in war — the generals to strategize, the soldiers to fight, the politicians to promote hope among citizens. Churchill agreed, and set to writing an inspirational speech for broadcast after the attack.

Paul makes a similar observation. God saw a battle raging — one that pitted us against Him as enemies. Our guilt and sin had fractured our relationship with Him, and we had fallen short of His glory. So God made a plan. He knew that the wages of sin was death, and so someone had to die for our misdeeds. But it was not the Father’s role to die. It was His Son’s.

The marvel of Jesus’ role was that He died for us “while we were still sinners” (Romans 5:8b), reconciling us to God (see 5:9 above), and providing new life for us through His Spirit (see 5:10 above).

And our role? It changed from distant enemies to reconciled children, and then to thankful boasters in God for the complete and redeeming work of Jesus.

Do you acknowledge the roles God, Jesus, and we play in His great plan of reconciliation?

Father God, thank you for your love and mercy in reconciling us to yourself through the death of Jesus. In humility, we accept that your grand plan is sufficient to win the war against sin. May we ever boast in the selfless role Jesus played to bring us back into right relationship with you. Amen.

Go Deeper — Close your eyes and picture yourself crouched in the battlefield while a war wages around you. A war between sin and salvation. See yourself being covered by armor for protection. Then thank God for His plan to send Jesus to win the war for you.



Tags: Romans Romans 5
Photo Credit: Jace Grandinetti