HANDLING HARD TIMES
"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." Rom. 5:1-5
Paul starts this segment on trouble by assuring us that we are at PEACE with God - we "have" it, We aren't working for it or hoping for it - we have it.
God isn't the cause of trouble. Later in the chapter (v. 12) he makes it clear where trouble began (Adam).
God is the cure for trouble. Later in the chapter (v. 18-21) he makes it clear that Jesus came to fix the problem Adam caused.
Next he let's us know how we ACCESS the favor (grace) God has for us - BY FAITH. What we believe matters.
When we believe what He says, where we stand with Him and what He has done, that Word produces the fruit of change in us, in our lives.
Next Paul gives us the assurance that, even if we don't see the change we want now, we "rejoice in hope of the glory of God". This "hope" of glory is the resurrection, where our new bodies will not get sick, or suffer or die (Rom. 8:23-25; 1 Cor. 15:16-19; 1 Thess. 4:13-1 .
Hope is translated from the Greek word "elpis" which means:
THE CONFIDENT EXPECTATION OF GOOD.
Paul makes it clear.
We should confidently expect good!
We carry this into trouble.
We carry our confidence that we are peace with God - that He isn't doing bad things to us. In fact, we believe He can work even bad things together for our good.
Our HOPE, our expectation of good, "does not disappoint".
Why? Because our Father loves us and has poured His love into us.
Let your heart rest in His love.
Nothing can separate you from His love (Rom. 8:35-39).
Any trouble you experience does NOT come from God. It is not the result of His anger, His wrath, His poor parenting.
He freely gives us all things (Rom. 8:32).
We access everything He provides, all of His favor, by faith.
Not faith in us - that we deserve His help or we prayed hard enough.
Faith in Him - that He loves us and loves to give good things.
He is at peace with you and has poured His love into your heart so that you can confidently expect good.
Even if our faith is weak and we don't access all the help He has for us in the here and now, we HOPE (expect) in a resurrection where all death, all sickness and all suffering that Adam turned loose on this earth will be finally extinguished.
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I'm not saved because I'm good. I'm saved because He's good!
My website: www.bradfreeman.com
My blog: http://bradcfreeman.tumblr.com/ |
Acts-dicted
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2/20/16 7:41 am
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Handling hard times.
