The Results of Justification (5):

Having Assurance of Hope

"And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation

 produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope."

 (Romans 5:3-4)

As Christians, even when we face tribulation because of our faith (and certainly even when we do not face tribulation), we must rejoice and hope for God’s glory. Our church, like the church of Philadelphia in Revelation (Rev. 3:7-13), should hold fast to the Lord's word and not betray His name despite being in the furnace of tribulation (Rev. 3:9-10). We must keep the faith (our belief) in times of suffering. This is possible because God gives us grace, the Holy Spirit helps us, and the Lord holds us fast.  So, how can we rejoice even in the midst of tribulation? Satan knows his time is short, and he is doing everything he can to deceive and make even the chosen ones fall. How can we still rejoice? We are no longer children of the devil but children of God, saved by grace, and it is Satan who seeks to deceive us.  Consider Philippians 1:28: "And not in anything terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God." When we, the saved children of God, are deceived by Satan, it serves as a proof of destruction to our enemies but is a testimony of our salvation. Therefore, even though we may face persecution and tribulation because of our adversaries, we can rejoice, knowing that it is proof of our salvation (Romans 5:3).  The Apostle Paul rejoiced even in tribulation. In Acts 14:22, the Scripture says: "Strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, 'We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.'" The path to heaven is narrow, thorny, and the way of the cross, which means it includes tribulation, persecution, suffering, and pain. When we face such tribulation, we must look to Jesus, who has gone before us. We must look to Jesus, who walked the way of the cross, and meditate on His sufferings while we give thanks and rejoice.  We should be thankful because participating in Jesus' sufferings is God’s grace (Philippians 1:29). We should rejoice because we have a reward in heaven (Matthew 5:11-12). When we firmly believe and are certain of this, we can rejoice in tribulation and eventually be victorious. Paul faced tribulation for the sake of preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ, for the sake of missions (see 2 Corinthians 11:23-27). The Holy Spirit told Paul that in every city, chains and tribulation awaited him (Acts 20:23, 21:11). Yet, even knowing this, Paul did not hesitate. He was determined to fulfill his calling and preached the gospel, even at the cost of suffering and martyrdom (Acts 20:24). And in the midst of tribulation, Paul rejoiced. He said, "But I will rejoice, yes, and will rejoice, because Christ is preached" (Philippians 1:18).  It was not only Paul who rejoiced in tribulation. Other apostles also rejoiced in the midst of suffering. In Acts 5:41, we read: "So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name." How could the apostles rejoice while preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ? The reason is that they knew that preaching the gospel was for the infinite glory of God. Those who had been enemies of God (Romans 5:10), like Paul, who considered himself the chief of sinners (1 Timothy 1:15), were reconciled to God through the death of Jesus Christ on the cross. And now, they were given the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18-19) and entrusted with the word of reconciliation. How wonderful and joyous it is that they, in the place of Christ, preached the gospel!

Although we say we preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, in the case of our pastors, there are often times after delivering a sermon when we feel ashamed or guilty. Nevertheless, when we observe the transformation of the believers who have listened to the sermon, understanding God’s word, receiving it in faith, and obeying it, we cannot help but acknowledge that this is God’s work, and therefore, it is God’s grace. This work of God is similar to what happened to the members of the Thessalonian church, who, amidst much tribulation, received the word with joy from the Holy Spirit, not only becoming imitators of Paul, his co-workers, and the Lord, but also becoming examples to all believers (1 Thessalonians 1:6, 7). Moreover, the members of the Thessalonian church were waiting for His Son, who was raised from the dead, to descend from heaven (1 Thessalonians 1:10).

Like the Thessalonian believers, we too must receive God’s word with the joy of the Holy Spirit and become imitators of the Lord. And, like them, we must hope for the second coming of Jesus. When we preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, the joy of God and the joy of heaven should become our joy when a soul believes in Jesus and receives salvation. We must look forward to the joy of evangelism and the reward for evangelism. As we look toward this reward, we must preach the gospel of Jesus Christ with joy. Even though there may be suffering and tribulation, we must have a firm and clear hope, looking to the glory of God and preparing well for the return of Jesus.

We must stay alert, be sober, and pray while being committed to God’s word. Remembering the word of God given to us today, I pray that we may have victory in the midst of tribulation.