Romans 5:1-5 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
Yesterday I wrote about having an inner peace In Spite Of the trials of life. That peace can only come from the Lord. The above passage tells us that the peace that I spoke of yesterday starts with having peace with God. That peace can only come through the Lord Jesus Christ by faith in His death, burial and resurrection. That begins a relationship with God that is like a Father/child relationship. God cares for us as a father cares for an earthly child. He loves us, protects us and provides for us. We have been given access to God the Father, through God the Son. Paul says that he rejoices in the peace and relationship that he enjoys with the Father because of Christ.
Paul also went on to say that he glories (That is to brag or boast) in “tribulations” or trials that befell him. The reason that he held his trials in such high regard is, that they were a big part of the testimony that God had given him. Paul was a man that suffered many trials and afflictions as a Christian. He didn’t complain about those trials, he boasted of them! It was through the challenges he faced that the developed him into a great servant of Christ! He learned patience, experience, hope and how much God loved him in his trials
Child of God, our Lord is always working on us. After we have made peace with God, the Lord is developing us into a great servant also. None of our trials and afflictions are for naught! Without realizing it many times, we are learning patience, gaining experience, growing in hope and seeing the love of God at work in our lives. I’ll admit there are times that I would prefer not learning patience and at my age I feel I have gained plenty of experience. But, I also know that I need to have hope in all my situations. Hope in the Bible is, an expectation or confidence in the fact that what God has said He will do, He will do!!
Have hope today friend. Experience the love of God like never before! Enjoy the Testimony of peace with God.