Three things to rejoice in
A while back I posted on a great verse in Romans 5.
5:3-4 Not only this, but we also rejoice in sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance, character, and character, hope.
I love this passage. It helps so many when they are getting beat up in life. In the midst of difficulty people need a few things to hold on to. They desperately need something to help them to continue to move. And this verse does it.
As I read the wider context this week there is even more here to be joyful about.
Romans 5:1, 2 Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 5:2 through whom we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice 3 in the hope of God’s glory.
So here are the three things we can always be joyful in.
- We have peace with God.
- We have a hope to come.
- Suffering produces something good.
Help me unpack each of these three points by throwing in your comments.
Groups Guy 
What is Peace?
od’s peace was granted to us when we came to Jesus in faith. “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our LORD Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1). Peace is a product of righteousness, or the “fruit of righteousness” (James 3:18), which righteousness is the “righteousness of faith” (Romans 4:13). “And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever” (Isaiah 32:17). Again, Spiritual uprightness is evidenced by the presence of peace in our lives. “Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace” (Psalm 37:37). Therefore, peace is not simply the lack of conflict with Christ, but the positive presence of the LORD Jesus– Who “is our peace” (Ephesians 3:14)– abiding in us by our continual and active confidence in Him. “For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end” (Hebrews 3:14).
compliments of Tom Stewert
such great words Tom. thanks for sharing. it will benefit many.
The word “THEREFORE” is key in 5:1…”BECAUSE THE PRECEDING IS TRUE”. Because the justification by faith (taught in Romans chapter 4) is true we have peace with God.,
If we don’t have peace with God, or hope of eternity, then we must have skipped one of the key steps of salvation…
1. RECOGNIZE our need of a Savior
2. Be WILLING to accept God’s kindness and mercy
3. CONFESS our sins—Be washed clean—Born Again
4. REMOVE old things—be renewed by Holy Spirit
5. We’re NEW—just as if we’ve never sinned—Pardoned
6. Enjoy PEACE and HOPE as heirs of eternal life