(Rom 5:1-5 NLT) Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory. We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.
This morning we continue our series entitled, “Faith and Patience VOL III – Never Give Up!” by continuing with “The Big Picture.” The in the 5th chapter of Paul’s letter to the church in Rome he opens with a thought we should always keep at the forefront of our minds – the fact that we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Jesus reconciled us back to the Father. We have peace with God (which deals with the status of our position with God) and we also have the peace of God (which deals with the internal condition of our heart). Having peace with God and also having the peace of God help us to endure challenges with an internal serenity that cannot be shaken. In addition to all of this, Paul goes on to write about the fact that when these trials come, they actually help produce/develop endurance, character, and hope. Let’s take a closer look at these words. To do so, I will provide you definitions for each, but not from a modern dictionary, because I find that older dictionaries sometimes take us back to a time when the moral fabric of society was closer to the Biblical standard. So let’s look at the definitions of these words from Noah Webster’s American Dictionary of the English Language from 1828.
Endurance: Continuance; a state of lasting or duration; lastingness. A continuing under pain or distress without sinking or yielding to the pressure; patience.
The ability or strength to continue or last, especially despite fatigue, stress, or other adverse conditions.
Character: The peculiar qualities, impressed by nature or habit on a person, which distinguish him from others; these constitute real character, and the qualities which he is supposed to possess, constitute his estimated character, or reputation. Hence we say, a character is not formed, when the person has not acquired stable and distinctive qualities.
Hope: A desire of some good, accompanied with at least a slight expectation of obtaining it, or a belief that it is obtainable. Hope differs from wish and desire in this, that it implies some expectation of obtaining the good desired, or the possibility of possessing it. Hope therefore always gives pleasure or joy; whereas wish and desire may produce or be accompanied with pain and anxiety.
There is too much to cover in this passage for one day, so we will stop here for today. I just wanted you to read these definitions and to see what can and should be produced in you as you overcome every challenge that comes your way.
So what does this mean to you today? A few quick things:
1. When you continue to stand and believe God, in spite of challenging circumstances, without yielding to the pressure to quit, you please God.
2. The way you face the challenges you encounter helps to develop your character and when you stand, in spite the challenges, you distinguish yourself and you bring glory to God.
3. You are able to stand in spite of the challenges because of the hope that springs eternal in your heart. This hope does not disappoint!
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for helping me to see past the temporary long enough to realize that the eternal is more important. The temporary challenges I face pale in comparison to the person I am becoming as I resolve to stand in spite of the pressure to quit. Thank You Father for helping me to develop, mature, and evolve into the person You desire for me to be. In Jesus’ name. Amen!
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper!
