Romans 5:1-5 (King James Version)
1Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
I ran across this passage about a week ago and have been meditating on it quite often. Focusing on different parts of the scripture at different times. I must say my favorite part of this verse is the concept of standing on grace and all that it entails, but right now I am relishing in “the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts”. What a powerful concept and truth! How many of us walk around with “the love of God shed abroad in our hearts”? If it weren’t for the Lord’s continual grace that I stand on, this would have been more of a conviction to me than a promise!
But how?
(This is all under the assumption that you have already experienced regeneration, or in other words, have placed TOTAL faith in Jesus Christ.)
- Standing on the Promise of Grace. Vs. 2
2. Rejoicing and Hoping in the Glory of the Lord. (His promised coming) Vs. 2
3. Rejoicing and glorying in our trying times Vs. 3
-This works patience.
-Patience brings experience
-Experience brings hope
-Hope makes us unashamed
One thing I understand from this list in Romans is that it’s definitely a process. “The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts” did not happen immediately but after specific times and experiences to stand firm on grace and truth. But once we get to the place of receiving the grace of God FULLY, we realize that we are eternally in debt to God, not for his justice, but to his love and mercy forever, and likewise in debt to all people for the IMPOSSIBLE grace freely given by the blood of Jesus Christ. Trials may come, but we rejoice in the Lord’s coming and stand on grace. This shed’s God’s love abroad in our hearts.
On the opposite spectrum. Is it too far to say that worrying, complaining, being let down or disappointed, or ticked at your given circumstances is utter godlessness? I think not. It is our very rejoicing that brings glory to His name in our trying times. The opposite of this breeds contempt in every way. Is the way you are living you life saying, “I HATE GOD”? Or in all things saying, “I LOVE HIS HOLY NAME”?
