Romans 5:1-6 PHILLIPS Since then it is by faith that we are justified, let us grasp the fact that we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have confidently entered into this new relationship of grace, and here we take our stand, in happy certainty of the glorious things he has for us in the future. This doesn’t mean, of course, that we have only a hope of future joys—we can be full of joy here and now even in our trials and troubles. Taken in the right spirit these very things will give us patient endurance; this in turn will develop a mature character, and a character of this sort produces a steady hope, a hope that will never disappoint us. Already we have some experience of the love of God flooding through our hearts by the Holy Spirit given to us.
Romans 5:1-6 MSG 1-2 By entering through faith into what God has always wanted to do for us—set us right with him, make us fit for him—we have it all together with God because of our Master Jesus. And that’s not all: We throw open our doors to God and discover at the same moment that he has already thrown open his door to us. We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand—out in the wide open spaces of God’s grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise. 3-5 There’s more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we’re never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary—we can’t round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!
Observation
Wait, wait, wait! I was good with “Through Him we have confidently entered into this new relationship of grace, and here we take our stand, in happy certainty of the glorious things he has for us in the future.” I really like the standing “out in the wide open spaces of God’s grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise.” Isn’t this relationship of grace about the guarantee of a life full of blessing, happiness, glory and freedom from conflict? What is Paul meaning by these words – “We can be full of joy here and now even in our trials and troubles.” Trials and troubles!! How can we “continue to shout our praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles”? Doesn’t God promise us smooth sailing on an luxurious yacht through life when we accept Jesus and embrace salvation? Some may say so, but I say absolutely not!
Just as an athlete must practice and a student must study to achieve their goals, there is work involved in sustaining faithfulness on our parts. Don’t forget that we have an Enemy who, since the Garden of Eden, is constantly working for our failure. God never fails in faithfulness, but we humans are inconsistent and must build the muscles and experience of our faith through resisting temptation and never giving up. Trusting and relying upon Jesus in troubling and difficult times builds in us patient endurance, mature character, and a steady hope, a hope that will never disappoint us.
Please understand that patient endurance suggests long distance, physical challenge and/or persisting under unpleasant or difficult circumstances without flagging or complaining. Mature character means that you have a firm foundation morally and spiritually because of the deeper relationship with Jesus built in and through all you have endured. Then hope, beautiful hope, which encourages us to turn to and depend on our God for Whom all things are possible, even when we don’t understand why we are where we are experiencing difficult circumstances. No matter how long or difficult the journey, when Jesus goes with us, we will accomplish His goals and reach our destination.
In John 16, Jesus explains to His disciples what being His disciple will be like after He goes away. They are filled with sorrow and probably fear because they have depended upon Him for wisdom, leadership, instruction, confronting the opposition and the extraordinary demonstration of God’s power. Their reaction suggests that they do not feel prepared to go it alone. Jesus encourages them with the promise of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, who will be with them, and even in them, to do all that Jesus did for them. Jesus said to His disciples, “I’ve told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I’ve conquered the world.” (John 16:32-33 MSG)
Impact on Me
So, what should I expect in this current godless world? After these verses, Jesus died a horrific and culturally shameful death on the Cross. 10 of His 12 disciples were martyred and 1 was exiled to a tiny rocky island for the faith. Paul himself suffered beatings, shipwreck, prison and eventually death for his work spreading the Gospel.
How can I have the joy and peace God promises when I experience difficulties and face trials and troubles? He promises His Holy Spirit will be with us and for us in our trials and tribulation so that we through patient endurance will become mature in character so we can have “a hope that will never disappoint us.”
So, I guess my expectations should depend upon whether I want to be a fully committed disciple or just a member of the crowd. Have I come only to hear a great message and get a free meal like so many of the 5000? Am I willing to risk ridicule, opposition or worse to identify with Jesus? When life is not “blessing, happiness, glory and freedom from conflict,” will I blame God and look for comfort and security elsewhere or seek Him for what He wants me to be and do as I walk in patient endurance? It is always my choice. If I want to hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant!”, I will need to press on in the footsteps of Jesus before me regardless of where they lead.
Prayer
Father God, Creator of the Universe, All-Wise, All-Knowing, Merciful One. There are so many times that life seems too difficult to bear, circumstances too overwhelming. I don’t know how people survive without faith in You. Sometimes my enduring does not seem too patient, but give me the strength and courage to walk in those footsteps of Christ You have placed before me so I can be what You have called me to be and do what You have called me to do. May I be found faithful, a servant of mature character and steady hope. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Make it so.
Pressing On In His Footsteps 
So so good! I sent it to Andrew (my pastor) – his sermon yesterday included scathing remarks on the prosperity doctrine.
j
>
LikeLike