The result of justification (7): Giving us hope that does not disappoints us (Romans 5:5)

The result of justification (7):

Giving us hope that does not disappoints us

 

 

“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.” (Romans 5:5)

 

 

                The Bible says that hope does not disappoint us (Rom.5:5).  To what does “hope” refer here?  It refers to hope that starts with “the hope for the glory of God” (v. 2), and ends with character, that is produced by perseverance which is produced by suffering (vv. 3-4).  Hope for the glory of God is something that even new believers can hope for.  But suffering produces perseverance, perseverance is character, character hope is the hope among hopes, and the fulfillment of hope that mature Christians hope for.  The Bible says that this hope does not disappoint us (v. 5).  Hope does not disappoint us because it will surely come true.  Hope that discourages us by fading disappoints us.  Even if all the hopes of this world come true, these worldly hopes disappoint us.  However, the hope in Romans 5:2-4 is a glorious hope, so it does not disappoint us.  This hope is a proud hope.  The reason why this hope is sure to come true is because God, who always makes this hope come true, has given us a guarantee.  That guarantee is that God has given us the Holy Spirit in our hearts (2 Cor.1:22).  How, then, has God guaranteed us?  It is by the love of God (Rom.5:5).  Because God loves us, we are justified by faith (v. 1).  God's love makes us hope for the glory of God (v. 2).

 

                Romans 5:5 tells us that the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit whom he has given us.  God has given us the Holy Spirit.  Look at Acts 2:17a – “'In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. ….”  Who gave us the Holy Spirit?  God the Father has given us the Holy Spirit.  Where did God give us the Holy Spirit?  He has given us the Holy Spirit in our hearts.  The Holy Spirit gave us a connection (relationship) with God's love.  He poured out God's love into our hearts.

                God is love (1 Jn. 4:8, 16).  Because God is love, he not only loves us but also gives love so that it overflows in our hearts.  The love of God was revealed through the death of Jesus on the cross (v.8).  God did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all (8:32).  God has poured out his unfathomable love upon us, his chosen people.  We are the ones who have been greatly loved by God.  Therefore, this hope is 100% sure to come true.  Therefore, this hope does not disappoint us.  We must live with this sure hope.  In particular, in the last great tribulation to come, we must have this hope, hold fast to God's love, believe, persevere sufferings, overcome, and be victorious.