We Rejoice In Our Sufferings, Knowing That Suffering Produces Endurance

ROMANS 5:1-5
“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
”‭‭Romans‬ ‭5:1-5‬ ‭NKJV‬
‬https://www.bible.com/114/rom.5.1-5.nkj

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These verses are an introduction to a section that contains some difficult concepts.
Sin lets the devil into our physical bodies and justifies eternal torment, while the blood of Jesus cleanses us and justifies life.
But it cannot help those who don’t believe, because as Jesus tells us Himself, “”He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.”
‭‭John‬ ‭3‬:‭18‬-‭19‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
If one doesn’t believe, he is calling God a liar and their is no repentance.
“But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.””
‭‭Romans‬ ‭10‬:‭8‬-‭13‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
To understand the next four chapters, it helps us to take on board the two-sided reality of the life of believers. On one hand, we are complete in Christ. On the other hand, we are growing in Christ, as He works within us, our character is growing and we are becoming more Christ-like day by day.
We have the status of God’s elect-His very own, and the authority that comes from the Holy Spirit living in us to “Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, and cast out demons (MATHEW 10:8),
and yet the duties of a slave.
We feel the pressure of sin and at the same time, the presence of God.
By faith, we experience the peace that comes from being made right with God, while facing troubles that help us to grow in character and strength.
James tells us, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”
‭‭James‬ ‭1:2-4‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
By remembering these two sides of Christian life, we shall not become discouraged as we face the troubles and temptations life throws at us, but rather, we will learn to trust God and rely on the power of the Holy Spirit living in us to overcome, in the knowledge that God, after you have suffered a while, shall perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you (see 1 PETER 5:10).
‭‭I encourage you, whatever troubles you are facing, God is in control and will make a righteous way for you, for “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”
‭‭I Corinthians‬ ‭10‬:‭13‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
My brethren, when you do your best, God will do the rest; you shall have joy in the chaos of this world and peace that makes no sense (PHILIPPIANS 4:7).
The truth is, “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, And whose hope is the Lord. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, Which spreads out its roots by the river, And will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, And will not be anxious in the year of drought, Nor will cease from yielding fruit.”
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭17‬:‭7‬-‭8‬ ‭NKJV‬
Therefore my beloved, “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:4-7‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
An unbeliever is burdened by the reality of death, while a believer has a confident hope through the love of God that endures forever.
Therefore, my “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”
‭‭I John‬ ‭4‬:‭7‬-‭11‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
Love is more than a feeling, it is an action, and a duty of care towards all mankind (MATHEW 22:39).
In response to a question from a lawyer, “Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.””
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭22‬:‭37‬, ‭39‬-‭40‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
My beloved, if we remain obedient to the Law of love, all the other commandments shall fall into place, for the whole way of life in Jesus is grounded in love.
Furthermore, if everyone stood on these great commandments, this world would quickly become a better place to live.
Paul told us, “Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”
‭‭I Corinthians‬ ‭13‬:‭8‬-‭13‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
All glory to God forever and ever! Amen.