“Whom God royally elects, He ruthlessly perfects!” This is a quote I often heard from my pastor Wade Trimmer. Whether it was original to him or not, I am not sure, but it is worth remembering. In Romans 5:1-5 we get a glimpse of God’s process in the life of every believer. “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”
First we see that “justification” comes through faith!
In God’s eyes we, who believe, stand justified (or as I was taught growing up – just if I’d never sinned)! We are perfect in Jesus! Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us; “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.” This perfection is a gift from God through faith, which was also a gift from God to us! And in John 17:22-23 we see a marvelous truth; “I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” Jesus states that because of His gift to us we are “one” with Him and with the Father. God the Father sees us and loves us as He sees and loves Jesus! We are perfect in Jesus!
Second, because of this justification we are at peace with God!
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27 Jesus promises to give us His peace!
Third, being in Jesus have access(entrance into) the grace or favor of God.
Now, what does that mean? Peter explains it this way; “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.” II Peter 1:3-4
In Jesus Christ and through His divine power we have “everything” we need to thrive in a godly life. In Christ we have been the inheriters of “promises” that, when claimed, will keep us from the corruption of the flesh. Not only that, Paul tells us: “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:19
What is your need today? Take heart and be of good cheer, God knows it before you ask and He will suppy it according to “His riches” through Christ!
Paul says this is a “mystery” that was once hidden and now has been disclosed to the “saints.” Does that mean the “saints” of the Catholic church? No, it is every true believer, those who were once called sinners but are now in Christ and are called the “saints of God.” “the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” – Colossians 1:26-27
Five, our sufferings are reason for rejoicing because of what they teach us!
Paul says our sufferings are “teachers” of persevereance, character, and hope! We live in a time when no one wants to “suffer” anything. Everyone complains about life not being “fair” and we want everyone to get a “fair shake.” The fact is life is NOT FAIR and it never will be! Just as a caterpillar must struggle to break out of its chrysalis with much struggle in order to become a beautiful butterfly, we must go through tests and trials and suffering in order to develop those character traits that will enable us to fly in life! Suffering is a part of the Christian experience: “The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” Then notice in verse 18; “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” – Romans 8:17-18
Paul again tells us in Philippians 3:10; “I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death.” We often hear messages about knowing Christ and the POWER of His resurrection, but we are often slighted of the truth when we are not told about the participation in His SUFFERINGS. Here is what James tells us; “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” – James 1:2-4 JOY! How can that be? Once we learn that the tests and trials are our teachers, then we can rejoice in what the outcome will be even though we may be uncomfortable and hurting during the process. Do you want to be a “butterfly” or stay stuck in the dirt as a worm?
I could go on and on to show references to the sufferings saints will endure. We must accept is as instruction from God and training for reigning so we can learn how to respond.
And, six, we can stand in the hope of glory!
God has poured out His love to us in the person of the Holy Spirit!
“And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” – Romans 5:5
“Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” – John 14:23-26
“Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear.” – Acts 2:33
We who believe have been chosen in Christ, called by God and sealed by the Holy Spirit! Because God started the whole process, He will complete it faithfully, by whatever means necessary. (see Philippians 1:6) We are not left to ourselves to muddle through the mine fields of life, though sometimes we may feel that way. God is with us and will never forsake us! That is one of His “great and precious promises.”
We have been given a charge to love God and serve people no matter what. Whatever the test, whatever the trial, whatever the suffering, we are not alone in the process. We can stand in the “hope of the glory of God.” That hope is Christ in us in the person of the Holy Spirit!
Let’s learn how to fly!
