The Result of Justification (4):
Rejoicing in Tribulations
“Not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces
perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope” (Romans 5:3-4).
In this passage, when it says, “Not only that, but we also glory in tribulations” (v. 3), the word "that" refers to the latter part of Romans 5:2, which speaks of “...rejoicing in the hope of the glory of God.” In other words, it’s not just about rejoicing in the hope of God's glory but also in tribulations. What does "the glory of God" refer to here?
First, let us consider the glory of God that has already been revealed. The glory we hope for is the glory of Jesus Christ, who will return in glory. In John 19:30, the Bible says, “It is finished.” This was the sixth word spoken by Jesus on the cross. What did He finish? Our redemption. Redemption here means that Jesus Christ, by shedding His blood and giving His life (His death on the cross), paid the price for all our sins, thereby redeeming us and saving us from sin, Satan, and destruction. This redemption can be considered the beginning of our salvation. In Revelation 21:6, we also see, “It is done.” This word is the same as the one Jesus used on the cross, “It is finished.” In the Korean Bible, it is translated as “It is done,” but the correct translation should be “It is finished.” What was finished? Our salvation. Salvation starts with redemption and encompasses the completion of our salvation. In Romans 5:2, the “glory of God” refers to what our Lord Jesus Christ has completed (Revelation 21:6). “It is finished” refers not only to redemption (John 19:30) but also to the completion of our salvation (Revelation 21:6). We are not only to hope for this glory of God but also to be fully confident in this hope (Romans 5:2). When we have this confidence, we can rejoice even in the midst of tribulation (v. 3).
The glory that we look forward to is the glory of God's children when the Lord returns. At that time, for the children of God who have already died, though our bodies may decay in the ground, our souls will go to heaven, and at the Lord’s return, they will be reunited with us (1 Thessalonians 4:14). At that moment, our decaying bodies will be instantly transformed into imperishable bodies, immortal bodies (1 Corinthians 15:50-53), and we will be like Jesus in His glorious body (Philippians 3:21, Modern Bible). For the children of God who are still alive at that time, their glory will also be instantly transformed (1 Corinthians 15:50) into glorious bodies like Jesus' (Philippians 3:21). They will rise first (1 Thessalonians 4:16, Modern Bible), and together with the dead in Christ, they will be caught up in the clouds and meet the Lord in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:17). At that time, whether dead or alive, the children of God will all be transformed and receive glorious bodies like Jesus' (Philippians 3:21), entering into heaven to be with the Lord forever (1 Thessalonians 4:17). This hope, which we eagerly await, is never in vain because it is a 100% certain hope. That is why we rejoice in the glory of God (hope for it) and rejoice in it (Romans 5:2).
Romans 5:3 says, "And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations..." Here, "tribulations" [“sufferings”] do not refer to the tribulations that unbelievers endure, but rather to the tribulations that believers in Jesus Christ (the saints) experience as they maintain their faith. We endure these tribulations for the sake of keeping our faith. Consider Acts 14:22: “…we must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God." This does not mean that we must suffer in order to enter heaven; rather, it means that as Christians, we endure suffering for the sake of Christ. For us, suffering is accompanied by joy, because there is a reward. Look at Matthew 5:11-12: "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven." When we suffer for the Lord, our hope becomes more steadfast, and our faith in participating in God's glory becomes stronger. The sufferings we face now cannot be compared to the glory that will be revealed to us in the future, which is why we can rejoice even in the midst of tribulation (Romans 8:18). Therefore, we consider suffering for Christ as a grace (Philippians 1:29) and rejoice in hope (Romans 12:12).
The apostle Paul experienced many tribulations and sufferings because of his evangelistic and missionary work. In 2 Corinthians 11:23-27, he writes: “…I have labored more abundantly, been in prison more frequently, been beaten without number, and often been in danger of death. From the Jews five times I received forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in dangers of waters, in dangers of robbers, in dangers from my own countrymen, in dangers from the Gentiles, in dangers in the city, in dangers in the wilderness, in dangers in the sea, in dangers among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness." In Acts 20:22-23, Paul says: "And see, now I go bound in the Spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me." However, Paul was willing to be bound for the name of the Lord Jesus and was prepared to die in Jerusalem (Acts 21:13). The reason for this was that fulfilling the mission given to him by the Lord — to testify to the gospel of the grace of God — was more precious to him than his own life. Look at Acts 20:24: “But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” Paul did not shy away from suffering or tribulation in preaching the gospel because he knew his reward was in heaven. In Revelation 22:12, Jesus says, “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to everyone according to his work.” The reward will shine forever, like the light of the firmament, like the stars, like the sun. In Daniel 12:3, it says, “Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever.” In Matthew 13:43, it says, “Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father..."
Ask yourself: "Am I enduring tribulation or suffering for the sake of keeping my faith?" Believers in countries like North Korea and China are enduring tribulation and suffering to maintain their faith. We, on the other hand, do not face tribulation, and thus we do not experience the joy that comes from suffering. We live comfortably and seek even more comfort, so we are not tasting the joy that comes from enduring suffering for the Lord, even in our church lives. The disasters and tribulations that will affect the whole earth are coming, but can we overcome them by faith? We must be willing to endure tribulation and suffering for evangelism and missions. And, in the midst of it, we must taste and enjoy the joy the Lord gives us. Let us pray that, by enduring tribulation and suffering well, we can stand before the Lord and hear His praise.