December 16, 2018
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Would you look with me at Romans 5 for a moment –
Romans 5 is a graduation chapter par say. It takes us from the elementary grades of Christian life into College. Up to this point in the book of Romans, Paul is dealing with the elementary, introductory truths of the Christian faith. But at this point in the book we learn the way to maturity and power, and the way to become a mature son and daughter.
What I am about to read is not for the faint of heart or those who are content with an easy Christian life. Oftentimes it is not uncommon to have Christians who are 15, 20, or even 40 years, and still not understand how God develops His people. And we often wonder why we can’t seem to walk in the very promises of God. Because until you are ready for the upgrade, God will patiently have you go through the same test over and over until you finally receive your upgrade.
On this journey, the Father is absolutely delighted to make us exactly like Jesus. Because remember His primary intention is identity not destination. The Son has paid the price for our elevation and upgrade, and the Holy Spirit is the genius who makes it all work.
Rom. 5.1 (NKJV) Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
Rom. 5.2 (NKJV) through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Rom. 5.3 (NKJV) And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance;
Rom. 5.4 (NKJV) and perseverance, character; and character, hope.
Rom. 5.5 (NKJV) 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.
Let’s dive in a bit –
Rom. 5.1 (NKJV) Therefore, having been justified by faith (lamb of God), we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
Peace means “to bind together that which has been separated.” literally pictures the binding or joining together again of that which had been separated or divided.
Good news!!! The war is done. NO more fight between you and the Father.
You and I now have Peace with God which means that God has nothing against us.
Absolutely NOTHING!!!
He holds nothing against us. He is now for us.
1. He has fully Judged sin.
2. His wrath was fully satisfied with Christ’s sacrifice.
3. He is now working in us!
A poem I came across says these words-
Three Christian brothers met one day
To speak of things divine;
They had so much of Christ to say,
With joy their faces shine.
The first one said, `My brothers dear,
By virtue of Christ’s blood,
My heart retains no guilty fear,
I now have “Peace with God”.’
The second brother answered bold,
`You lag on heaven’s road;
I grasp the truth with higher hold,
I have the “peace of God”.’
The third dear brother drew up tall;
He laughed and scarce could cease:
`My brothers dear, I beat you all—
I have the “God of Peace.”
They all had peace, they all were right,
But peace in diverse measure;
The third had scaled the highest height
Of Heaven’s exalted pleasure.
—T. Baird
Rom. 5.2 (NKJV) through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Grace – God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense.
Stand – Refers to the permanent, secure position believers enjoy in God’s grace in contrast to our former state of condemnation.
Rejoice – means to boast over a privilege or possession. It means to rejoice to feel joy or great delight, combining ideas of jubilation and confidence into one word which we might describe as “joyful confidence”. It expresses an unusually high degree of confidence in God and what He has done for as being exceptionally noteworthy.
Rom. 5.3 (NKJV) And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance;
Tribulation to crush, press together, squash, hem in, compress, squeeze expressed sheer, physical pressure on a man.
It is a pressing together as of grapes. It conveys the idea of being squeezed or placed under pressure or crushed beneath a weight. When, according to the ancient law of England, those who willfully refused to plead guilty, had heavy weights placed on their breasts, and were pressed and crushed to death
Figuratively thlipsis pictures one being “crushed” by intense pressure, difficult circumstances, suffering or trouble pressing upon them from without. Thus persecution, affliction, distress, opposition or tribulation, all press hard on one’s soul.
2Cor. 4.7 (NKJV) But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.
2Cor. 4.8 (NKJV) We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
2Cor. 4.9 (NKJV) persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed—
“Rejoicing in suffering is not simply stoicism.
It is not simply a
‘Grin and bear it’ attitude, or
‘Tough it out’ and see how much you can take, or
‘Just hang in there until it’s over’ and ‘don’t let anything get you down,’ or
‘Keep a stiff upper lip.’
Many people feel that if they do that, they are fulfilling the Word and “rejoicing in suffering.” But that is not it. There are non-Christians who can do that. Many people pride themselves on how much they can take.
Rejoicing in Tribulations comes because I know…
(1) tribulations have a purpose
(2) my response to tribulations demonstrates the reality of my trust In God
(3) temporal tribulations produce inestimable future, eternal glory
Just think about It…
A runner must be stressed to gain endurance.
Sailors must go to sea.
Soldiers go to battle.
Athletes push themselves.
Rejoicing In tribulations produces endurance.
Rom. 5.4 (NKJV) and perseverance, character; and character, hope.
Rom. 5.5 (NKJV) 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.
Hope is the confident expectation of God’s goodness.
Hope is the looking forward to something with a reason for confidence respecting fulfillment.
My Hope is Built…
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly trust in Jesus’ Name.
On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
He is interested in our lives — It is our character that God is after, and this is why (in love) he introduces suffering, tribulation, trials, disappointments, and anguish into our lives.
These are an indispensable part of the journey. Oh, I wish we could see that! These things come because he loves us, and because he has given the Holy Spirit to us to do this very work in our lives.
Don’t Give Up Hope!!!
Abraham…
Rom. 15.13 (NKJV) Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Hos. 2.15 (NKJV) I will give her her vineyards from there, And the Valley of Achor as a door of hope; She shall sing there, As in the days of her youth, As in the day when she came up from the land of Egypt.