[22] That is why his faith was “counted to him as righteousness.” [23] But the words “it was counted to him” were not written for his sake alone, [24] but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, [25] who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification. (Romans 4:22–25)
[1] Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. [2] Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. [3] Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, [4] and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, [5] 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 5:1–5)
“We rejoice in suffering because
suffering produces endurance,
endurance produces character,
and character produces hope,
and hope does not put us to shame.”
(Romans 5:3-5)
Let me expand out translation with some more interpretation so that we can hear it with the context of Paul’s larger argument in Romans 4:22–25 and 5:3–5.
“We have received faith from God because of the Word of Promise (Good News/Gospel) spoken to us. Through that faith God has made us right and righteous on account of Jesus. This means we have the guarantee of peace with God. Not only now but also until the last day and forever.
Because of this we can experience joy even in our persecutions and all kinds of troubles. These troubles exist because we live in a fallen and broken world. These troubles are not “Fatherly discipline” or “refining fires”, but simply the world we live in. However, because we are secure in Jesus, with a sure salvation now and the promises of a completed salvation in Glory, we can also know that these troubles will produce the best in us.
What is the “best” that can be produced in us during tribulations? Endurance. The ability to hold onto joy and hope while remaining under the weight of struggle and suffering.
Being able to remain under suffering—to carry on in the face of struggle–will produce God-honouring character.
Being able to keep on working faithfully, to parent well, to be gentle and loving toward your spouse, to have compassion for your neighbour in the face of these troubles will be what God produces in you because of his faithfulness to save you to the very end and into eternity.
He will show your approved-ness by building in you a character of steadfastness in the face of suffering.
This character will be firmly anchored in hope. Not some empty idea like “I sure hope things get better.” No, hope is a real thing produced in you because of the faith spoken into your life. Hope for you Christian, is the reality that Jesus’ promises are true and the outcome of his Salvation is sure.
This “Hope” cannot be made false or made shameful no matter the amount or kind of struggle we are embattled against. Why? Because God himself is with us. The Holy Spirit abides with us and is always preaching that same Good News of God’s love shown to us in Jesus’ death and resurrection.”
This is a long paraphrase of these verses but it is important to understand.
Anchored, know this: You will face troubles. In those troubles you can still be joyful. Not because they are easy, painless, or any other unrealistic empty hope. We do not make it through this world whole. It will chip away at us. We know it is painful. We know it is not easy. We can be joyful because our outcomes are sure and as we await Glory we know that God is working to produce the best in us. He is working to give us the strong back and the broad shoulders we need to carry on. And we know that through God’s word and His Church he will keep our eyes fixed on Jesus.
That is why he has gifted us one another. That is why he is always blessing us with his Good News.