What gives us joy?
Romans 5: 1-5 says, "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have a peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us."
So what does all of that mean?
It means that when we become Christians (justified through faith), we receive PEACE. Because we have that PEACE, we are able to rejoice not only in God's glory but also in our sufferings--through the good and the bad. We can rejoice in our sufferings because we receive perseverance, which creates character, which creates hope, which does not disappoint because it is from God.
Maybe this will help:
Become a Christian --> Receive Peace --> Rejoice in God's glory and in our sufferings --> Perseverance --> Character --> Hope
Sometimes we are at different points along this line. Sometimes we have just become a Christian and we have peace, but it is hard to rejoice during the good and bad times. Sometimes we can rejoice in our sufferings, but we don't yet know how to persevere during the tough times. We know difficult times come because they are for our good, but it is still hard to bear. Sometimes we may have persevered through them, but our pride causes us to forget that God has pulled us through the tough times, so our character is not being built. In all of those struggles, it becomes hard to see the HOPE that God has given us. He promises us that our His HOPE does NOT DISAPPOINT. People, money, jobs, and food will disappoint, but God's hope never does.
When you face tough times, know that God is there with you, promising you the hope at the end of a dark tunnel. Keep relying on Him so that you may see your way out!
Romans 5: 1-5 says, "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have a peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us."
So what does all of that mean?
It means that when we become Christians (justified through faith), we receive PEACE. Because we have that PEACE, we are able to rejoice not only in God's glory but also in our sufferings--through the good and the bad. We can rejoice in our sufferings because we receive perseverance, which creates character, which creates hope, which does not disappoint because it is from God.
Maybe this will help:
Become a Christian --> Receive Peace --> Rejoice in God's glory and in our sufferings --> Perseverance --> Character --> Hope
Sometimes we are at different points along this line. Sometimes we have just become a Christian and we have peace, but it is hard to rejoice during the good and bad times. Sometimes we can rejoice in our sufferings, but we don't yet know how to persevere during the tough times. We know difficult times come because they are for our good, but it is still hard to bear. Sometimes we may have persevered through them, but our pride causes us to forget that God has pulled us through the tough times, so our character is not being built. In all of those struggles, it becomes hard to see the HOPE that God has given us. He promises us that our His HOPE does NOT DISAPPOINT. People, money, jobs, and food will disappoint, but God's hope never does.
When you face tough times, know that God is there with you, promising you the hope at the end of a dark tunnel. Keep relying on Him so that you may see your way out!
Until next time,
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