Peace and Hope

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, ² through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. ³ Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; ⁴ perseverance, character; and character, hope. ⁵ And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.  Romans 5:1-5

When Paul talks about our justification through faith, and the peace we have with God through Jesus, do you have problems identifying with those descriptive phrases?   Join the club!  But God wants us to know and experience that justification and peace, while knowing it is through Jesus we have access to God's sustaining grace. 

Paul then switches gears a bit, when he introduces the concept of suffering.  Wait.  I like reading about justification and peace and faith and grace,  but when suffering is added to the mixture, that's a different story.   Regardless of who we are, how long we have been Christians, how much influence we have, suffering of some sort is inevitable. 

Perhaps that is why Paul mentions the blessings of justification and peace in the first part of his discourse, then tosses in grace, to better prepare us for the concept of suffering.  Many will give up and walk away from a Christianity that involves suffering.  But Paul continues and explains it is through suffering that perseverance is produced. The progress continues as perseverance produces character, and character, hope.  Then the icing on the cake. "Hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us."

The greatest blessing known to sinful man occurs when he realizes God's love and forgiveness, and knows God calls him justified. The justified man is at peace with God, because Jesus has paid the sin-debt on the cross.  Paul is wanting his audience to understand from that relationship we have with God, when the Christian experiences suffering of some kind, God can use it to bring the progression of a deeper, stronger development in the Christian life. 

Ultimately, the Christian comes to know and experience the full measure of God's love because, as Paul says, that love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit.   I am speaking for myself here, but any time God wants to pour any of himself into my heart, I am going to be open and receptive to it.  Think about it......if God wants to add something like love to our hearts, it's because we need it.

And notice how God does this.  He pours out his love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.  It is no wonder this section of scripture from Romans is subtitled in the NIV Bible as "Peace and Hope."  You are invited to continue reading through verse 11 of this chapter.  God is sparing nothing in bringing you the hope and assurance of eternal life. 

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