Romans 5:1-5: “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 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. 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.”
Paul exhorts us to remember our hope of glory and to live according to this hope. Our hope is found in the righteousness given to us through Christ. When we put our faith in him, we are justified before the Father. I have heard justification explained this way – “just as if I never sinned.” The righteousness of Christ covers us so that when the Father looks at us, he sees us covered in righteousness. What a gift! We have full access to the Father and an eternal assurance of life with him.
While we are in this world, we will continue to endure suffering. Paul reminds us that suffering produces endurance which leads to character which leads to hope. Our worldly afflictions create a transformation within us so that our lives look more like Jesus.
Are you living in this hope of glory?