Sharing is Caring

  The result of justification (6): Fulfillment of completed hope by passing through sufferings, perseverance, and character     “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)                      Romans 5:3 says, “…   because we know that suffering produces perseverance.”   We rejoice in suffering, because “suffering produces perseverance” (v. 3).   The Bible speaks of “perseverance” a lot.   For example, Jesus spoke of the perseverance of prayer in Luke 18:1-9.   Jesus Himself set the example of perseverance in prayer.   See Jesus' prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane.   Jesus prayed three times.   He persevered until the prayer was answered and prayed to the end (Mt.26:36-42).   The sixth of the seven words Jes...

The result of justification (5): Having assurance of hope     “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)                      Even when we Christians face sufferings for our faith (of course, even when there is no sufferings), we should hope for the glory of God and rejoice.   Like the church in Philadelphia in the Book of Revelation (Rev.3:7-13), our church must keep the word of the Lord and not deny His name even though it is a crucible of suffering with little strength (vv. 8-10).   We must keep our faith in times of sufferings.   For this too, God must give us grace, the Holy Spirit can help us, and the Lord must hold us.   How, then, can we rejoice in sufferings?   How can we rejoice when Satan knows that his time is short, fe...

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 a...