The result of justification (4): Rejoice in sufferings (Romans 5:3-4)

The result of justification (4):

Rejoice in sufferings

 

 

“Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” (Romans 5:3-4)

 

 

                Here, “Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings” (Rom. 5:3), “only this” refers to Romans 5:2b “And we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”  In other words, it is not just about rejoicing in hope of the glory of God.  Here, “the glory of God” is Jesus Christ, who will come again in the glory of God that we hope for.  In John 19:30, the Bible says, “It is finished”.  This is the sixth word of Jesus on the cross.  What have He accomplished?  That is our redemption.  Redemption here means that Jesus Christ shed His blood to pay for all our sins with His life (crucifixion) to redeem us and save us from sin, Satan, and destruction.  This redemption can be said to be the beginning of salvation.  In Revelation 21:6, the Bible also says, “It is done.”  It is the same word as “It is finished” that Jesus said on the cross.  What have Jesus accomplished?  It is our salvation.  Salvation refers to the totality of salvation starting with redemption and ending with the completion of salvation (consummation).  In Romans 5:2, the glory of God refers to what our Lord Jesus Christ (v. 1) has accomplished (Rev. 21:6).  What has been accomplished means not only redemption (Jn. 19:30) but also the completion of salvation (Rev. 21:6).  We must not only hope for the glory of God, but also have confidence in this hope (Rom. 5:2).  Then we can rejoice even in our sufferings (v. 3).

 

                The glory we look forward to is the glory of God when the Lord comes again is our glory as children of God.  For the children of God who are already dead at that time, the glory comes when the Lord returns, saying that even though our bodies rot to the earth, our souls go to heaven (1 Thess. 4:14).  At that time, our corrupt body will be transformed in an instant, and we will put on an incorruptible body, an immortal body (1 Cor. 15:50-53.  And we will become like a glorious body like Jesus (Phil 3:21).  At that time, for the children of God who survived, their glory was changed in an instant (1 Cor. 15:50) and became like a glorious body like Jesus (Phil. 3:21) and will be caught up in the clouds together with the children of God who are dead, but resurrected first (1 Thess. 4:16), all changed in an instant (1 Cor. 15:50) in order to meet the Lord in the air (1 Thess. 4:17).  At that time, the children of God who have already died, or the children of God who are alive until then, will be transformed and put on a glorious body like Jesus (Phil 3:21) and enter the kingdom of heaven to be with the Lord forever (1 Thess. 4:17).  The hope for this is never in vain because this is a 100% sure hope.  So we hope and rejoice in the glory of God (Rom. 5:2).

 

                Romans 5:3 says, “we also rejoice in our sufferings.”  Here, the “sufferings” is not the sufferings experienced by unbelievers, but by the believers who believe in Jesus, and the sufferings we suffer to keep our faith.  Look at Acts 14:22 – “…  We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God, ….”  This is not to say that we must go through the sufferings to enter the kingdom of heaven.  It means that we Christians suffer for the Lord.  We have joy in sufferings.  The reason is that there is a reward.  Look at Matthew 5:11-12: “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.  Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”  If we suffer for the Lord, our hope will become stronger.  It is to strengthen our faith that we share in the glory of God more and more.  Since our sufferings now are in no way compared to the glory that will be revealed to us, we can rejoice in our sufferings (Rom. 8:18).  Therefore, we consider it grace to suffer for Christ's sake (Phil. 1:29) and rejoice in hope (Rom.12:12).

 

                The Apostle Paul had a lot of suffering due to evangelism/missionary work.  Look at 2 Corinthians 11:23-27: “I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again.  Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one.  Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers.  I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked.”  Look at Acts 20:22-23: “And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there.  I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me.”  But the Apostle Paul said, “I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus” (21:13).  The reason is because it was more precious to him than his life to finish the mission he received from the Lord to testify to the gospel of God's grace.  Look at Acts 20:24 – “However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me--the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.”  The reason we do not shy away from sufferings in sharing the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ is because our reward is in heaven.  Look at Revelation 22:12 – “Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done.”  Our reward will shine like the brightness of the heavens, like the stars forever and ever.  Look at Daniel 12:3 – “Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.”  Look at Matthew 13:43 – “Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. ….”

 

                I ask myself a question: ‘Am I going through sufferings to keep my faith?  The members of North Korea and country C are going through sufferings to keep their faith.’  Because we do not have sufferings, we cannot enjoy joy in sufferings.  We try to be more comfortable, so we are living a life of faith without experiencing joy during sufferings.  A calamity and sufferings that will spread to the whole earth is coming, can we overcome it with faith?  We must go through sufferings for evangelism/mission.  And in the midst of it, we must taste and enjoy the joy.  I hope and pray that we will be praised when we stand before the Lord by going through sufferings well.