The Result of Justification (6): Achieving Complete Hope

 Through Tribulation, Patience, and Refinement

“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering

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

(Romans 5:3-4)

Romans 5:3 states, “because suffering produces perseverance.” The reason we rejoice in tribulation is because “suffering produces perseverance” (v. 3). The Bible speaks much about "perseverance." For example, Jesus spoke about the perseverance in prayer in Luke 18:1-9. Jesus Himself demonstrated the model of perseverance in prayer. Look at Jesus' prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane. He prayed three times. He prayed with perseverance until He received an answer (Matthew 26:36-42). The sixth word of Jesus on the cross, “It is finished” (John 19:30), means that Jesus endured suffering to the very end on the cross, completing His work.  Furthermore, Romans 5:4 says, “perseverance, character.” Suffering produces perseverance (v. 3), and perseverance produces character (v. 4). Here, “character” refers to God refining us in the furnace of affliction (Isaiah 48:10). In other words, the Lord refines us in the furnace of suffering, removing all impurities from within us so that we come out like pure gold (Job 23:10). God uses the furnace of affliction to help us develop perseverance, and through that perseverance, He builds character.  Romans 5:4 also says, “and character, hope.” The hope of the glory of God (v. 2) is something even new believers long for. However, a mature Christian knows that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance produces character, and character produces complete hope (vv. 3-4). The Holy Spirit teaches us that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance produces character, and character produces hope, and He gives us confidence in this. This is why we can rejoice even in the midst of suffering (v. 3).

Certainly, the Great Tribulation is coming! At that time, the Holy Spirit will deeply impress the words of Romans 5:1-4 on our hearts, and we must stand firm in our faith. As this word of God works in the believers (1 Thessalonians 2:13), our hearts will be strengthened. Therefore, even in the Great Tribulation, we must keep our faith, quietly fulfilling the mission given to us, and, after overcoming the Great Tribulation, stand before the Lord.