Rejoice in Hope
The passage we see given us in Romans 5:1-4 is one that should rejoice the hearts of all people, especially those who have taken Jesus Christ at his word and have been saved by their faith in the work that he did specifically for them on the cross. God made an opportunity for all people to be perfectly forgiven for their sin and wonderfully have their hope secured for everlasting life. This is why those who now have “peace with God”, actually “rejoice in hope” because of what Jesus had done for them.
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Romans 5:1-2
Who can comprehend the incredible joy that a person has now attained to? Peace with God? How many today can truly be comfortable to know this verse applies to them? How many can die in peace knowing that their sin is forgiven? That they are indeed justified?
So great is this opportunity that this has become the very purpose of the lives of those who now rejoice in hope. Our purpose is to share the Gospel of this wonderful reality, this salvation, this peace.
And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
Romans 5:3-4
Incredible to consider that even our trials and difficulties now have purpose, reason, real reason that, thought we don’t think so at the time, works within us to reveal a wonderful joy and reliance on the Lord Jesus Christ. Its the very reason we should have such joy that is evident to all people, that we might tell of the hope that is within us (1 Pet 3:15)
Imagine what it is like to “Glory in tribulations”. Can anything now affect those who have peace with God? if we rejoice when things are well, what must it be like to rejoice also when things are difficult?
But more, what must it be like to see it work within us an eternal as well as temporal benefit? Tribulations to Patience, and Patience to Experience, and Experience to Hope.
And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
Romans 5:5
It’s indeed a hope that we shall never be ashamed of when it is revealed to us. But many there are who certainly will be ashamed, they have trusted in a vain hope, a hope that they have made their plans well this side of eternity, a hope that all things will be OK when they die.
They will be ashamed when they have all their sin in life stand in that witness seat testifying against them before God, when all the books are opened and their names are not found in the most important book of all, the book of life. Why? Because they simply would not avail themselves of the gift of God, they would not believe Jesus died for their sin, but vainly thought they were ‘ok’ on their own.
But to those who have trusted in God and the wonderful provision made for them, they have a hope they shall not be ashamed of, and they rejoice in it.
I hope the message preached on this day is a blessing to you, and that one day you too might rejoice in hope if you do not already.
Pr Edi Giudetti
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