by Jerry Senn
“Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us” (Romans 5:3-5).
We may often be tempted, greatly tempted to doubt our salvation and to question the very love of God when trouble comes into our lives. We may say, “If God really loves me, why does He allow terrible things to happen to me? It is as if God has abandoned me; he must be punishing me for my sin. Maybe there is no God, and heaven is a myth.”
Paul addresses this in our text. He has just stressed the reality of our peace and hope, based on knowledge that we are justified by faith in Christ’s blood (vv 1-4).
But he knows that hope of future glory is sometimes hidden in the dark clouds of present suffering. So he reminds us that within the broad scope of God’s sovereignty and love, not even tribulations can remove our assurance of salvation — they actually strengthen it.
When we’re pressed down and seem crushed physically, mentally and emotionally is the very time we need to rest on His great and precious promises. Faith is trusting the mighty power and goodness of God. He proved that love by sending His Son, Jesus to save the lost and dying world (John 3:16-17).
John Stott’s words are helpful: “Nothing in history or in the universe cuts us down to size like the cross. All of us have inflated views of ourselves, especially in self righteousness, until we have visited a place called Calvary. It is there, at the foot of the cross, that we shrink to our true size.”
So we rejoice in suffering because of what we know based on God’s own word. We are justified (made righteous) by Jesus’ blood, poured out as a sacrifice for our sins. We must take time to ponder Paul’s inspired Words.
“So faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17).