September 23, 2024

Romans 5:1-5  (HCSB)
Faith Triumphs
5 Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 We have also obtained access through Him by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but we also rejoice in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, 4 endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope. 5 This hope will not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Katlyn Hardin
I love Romans. It’s humbling, profound, thought-provoking, and challenging, yet encourages me in the weariest times. Every time I come to these verses in chapter five, I feel like I am on a roller coaster. As I read the words in verses 1-2, I am in awe that it is by the simple act of faith we are declared righteous, have peace with God, and have access to His grace through Christ. I mean WOW! Praise be to God! Because if it were left up to me it would be impossible. What blessed assurance this is to those who were once far off but have been brought near, and hope for those still far off. As I come to verses 3-5, I cannot help but picture a roller coaster as it rushes straight down, causing excitement and joy mixed with fear and dread at the same time. Though there is full assurance that the safety features work, there is always the thought of “will this hold me in, or will I go flying to my death?” These can be the thoughts in afflictions and unknowns–“Is Jesus really holding me fast when this season is so hard and not what I want?” In no way do I want to brush over suffering, but for those in Christ, scripture here declares there is HOPE, because “God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit.” We can hold fast to the hope of eternal life with Jesus, produced by the Holy Spirit in us, as we endure the various trials in our lives. And rest assured friends, this hope will not disappoint us! This is why Paul makes the profound claim “we also rejoice in our afflictions...” as an encouragement to the believers facing persecution (then and now), that through our pain, suffering, and weaknesses God is producing in us the hope of glory. For this reason, saints, we can rejoice!