REJOICE IN SUFFERING – POWER IN POWERLESSNESS
Romans 5
Peace and Joy
1. Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2. through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 3. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4. perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
6. You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. 8. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
9. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! 10. For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! 11. Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
Death Through Adam, Life Through Christ
12. Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned 13. for before the law was given, sin was in the world. But sin is not taken into account when there is no law. 14. Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who was a pattern of the one to come.
15. But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! 16. Again, the gift of God is not like the result of the one man’s sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. 17. For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.
18. Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men. 19. For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.
20. The law was added so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, 21so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Being at peace with God is the best place to be in this life. Many seek it in many ways, but few truly achieve it. This is because peace with God can only be obtained through suffering. Most of the major religions of the world teach this. Only Christianity takes this concept one more step and teaches that we can have peace with God through Christ’s suffering. Imagine that! We no longer have to suffer, because Christ has done enough suffering for us.
But the fact remains that in life there is much suffering. If this were not the case, there would be no need for recovery. Paul asks that we take a step back from our suffering and realize the true value that is built into the suffering. Suffering builds patience, character, and ultimately hope. Hope is that light at the end of the tunnel that lets us know that the trip through the dark tunnel will be worth it. I can relate to this. Not too long ago, I hiked through a tunnel at the Snoqualmie Summit in Washington State. We tried to hike with our flashlights off, and just concentrated on the light at the end of the tunnel to get us through. It was quite an experience.
God’s grace is free to all who will admit they are powerless, and that they need the gift of Christ’s Passion to obtain peace with God.
What is the cause of most of your suffering this past week?
Do you see that you have learned more patience through your past suffering?
When you look up, can you see the light at the end of the tunnel?
Have you accepted Christ’s suffering in order to obtain peace with God?