Therefore, Since We Have Been Justified Through Faith, We Have Peace with God Through Our Lord Jesus Christ
Testing Builds Our Faith
ROMANS 5:1-5
“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 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.
”Romans 5:1-5 NKJV
https://www.bible.com/114/rom.5.1-5.nkj
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So many fail to see the connection between God and their daily lives, especially when their lives are characterised by tribulation and troubles.
Paul however, shows us the connection between faith and our daily lives in the first half of Romans 5.
For first century Christians, suffering was the rule rather than expectation; and would get worse for them as persecution spread within the next decade.
Those who were right with God had peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (v1).
Paul explains in Romans in 2-5 how the peace process plays out. God, in His mercy, gives us grace to manage whatever comes (v2). And we are empowered and stabilised by hope as we persevere (v2-3). The tribulations give us perseverance which in turn produces character (v4).
As we continue to trust God through our troubles and tribulations, we learn to press in and keep going forward.
It’s most likely, you will find your patience being tested daily as you face trials and tribulations. But James tells us, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”
James 1:2-4 NKJV
I encourage you, whatever troubles, trials, or tribulations you are facing right now, God loves you, and He is making a way for you. Furthermore, He is using your troubles to build you up, to change even the way you think, that you become perfect and complete needing nothing. He takes your difficult situations and uses them for your good. Indeed, God causes all things to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them (ROMANS 8:28).
Maybe you need a miracle right now; maybe to meet your next mortgage payment, or to save your business. Maybe you need a miracle to restore your marriage, or remove some kind of addiction; or maybe you are battling with anxiety/ depression or other health problems. But I encourage you, Jesus said, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.””
Mark 9:23 NKJV
God’s promises are true in both this life and the next; He is God and cannot lie; “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”
Romans 5:1-2 NKJV
Nothing is impossible with God (LUKE 18:27; MATHEW 19:26), not even the impossible situation you are facing today. Therefore, give it to God and trust Him, and you can be certain of the long-term victory.
It might not pan out exactly how you hoped, but it will pan out for your long-term good. The truth is, ““Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, And whose hope is the Lord. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, Which spreads out its roots by the river, And will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, And will not be anxious in the year of drought, Nor will cease from yielding fruit.”
Jeremiah 17:7-8 NKJV
All glory to God forever and ever! Amen.
