Hope

Romans 5:1-5

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, ² through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. ³ Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; ⁴ perseverance, character; and character, hope. ⁵ And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament says "…there is no neutral concept of expectation. An expectation is either good or bad and therefore it is either hope or fear." (Vol. 2, p. 522) This is a powerful thought. What are your expectations of the future? Paul says in this passage that he rejoices in the hope of the glory of God, but he also rejoices in his sufferings. How is that possible? It is so contrary to human nature. We spend a significant amount of our time making sure we don't suffer. But Paul understood something: suffering produces perseverance which produces character which produces hope.

When you get through some kind of trial you look back and realize that you made it, that God has been with you and that the suffering was part of his plan. The Greek word for 'character' here means "tested and approved." When we suffer it produces in us the ability to hang in there and not give up. This in turn produces a life that has been tried and found to be true. It is only after we have passed through the fire and found that, it not only didn't destroy us, but in fact made us stronger, that we can have any confidence about God, ourselves and our faith.

This passage shows that hope is not just wishful thinking. It is produced by a tested life: a life that has withstood suffering and come out the other side. Anything else we call hope is just a wish because it has not experienced the faithfulness of God to empower us and protect us.

So, if you are going through a trial right now, don't give up. God has a plan in this even though you might not be able to see it. God will not test you beyond your ability. Remind yourself that this too will pass. God loves you and is faithful.