Romans 5:1-5

Yesterday was a wonderful day in church. Our pastor has been preaching on the subject of love for a month or so. Yesterday he expounded Romans 5:1-5. What a glorious little cluster of verses!

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 the grace in which we stand, and rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. And not only in 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.

-Having been justified. Hallelujah! We are free! Our pastor painted a very vivid picture of a modern prison. A huge gate, rows upon rows of barbed wire. More gates, guards, and more rows and rows of barbed wire. Then finally a cell, heavily guarded. What if someone then comes along and says "You are free. I have payed the price against you. You can leave this prison. Go!" The prisoner could then run and never look back at that dark and dreary place. He would glory in the sunshine and the open space around him. We have had that same experience when God in His great mercy set us free from our sin. Hallelujah, what a Savior!

-We have peace with God. This peace is from knowing that we are acquitted and justified before God. Therefore it is everlasting peace. What a comfort it is throughout life to dwell in this peace!

-We rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. We have the joyful expectation of Heaven after this world has passed away. We shall see the glory of God and we ourselves shall be glorified. Can you really imagine such a day. I love to dwell on that coming day.

-Glory in tribulations. Who would have thought that glorying in tribulations could be possible? But when we view our tribulations in the light of the previous verses they seem rather small don't they. Besides, we are told why we can glory. Tribulations produce perseverance. And perseverance, character. And character, hope. I pray that I will always see my tribulations and trials in this light.

-Hope does not disappoint. How is it that this hope does not disappoint when so many hopes in this life do? This hope's strength is based on the wonderful, amazing love of our great God. The love of God sustains us and refreshes our hope.

I hope you are able to get as much joy and comfort out of these verses as I did. I almost laughed with joy right in the middle of the sermon. We are so undeserving of all of this hope and joy but yet God has given all of this to us. Thanks and praise be to God!

Posted by Carissa