EXPLORE THE TEXT
Believers should embrace their new relationship with God.
1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith,
we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.2 We have also obtained access through him by faith into this grace in which we stand,
and we boast in the hope of the glory of God.
3 And not only that, but we also boast in our afflictions,
because we know that affliction produces endurance,
4 endurance produces proven character,
and proven character produces hope.
5 This hope will not disappoint us,
because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts
through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
Romans 4:3 (NASB)
3 For what does the Scripture say?
"ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS."
Paul taught that everyone needs to be reconciled to God, but that this reconciliation cannot be earned by good works.
Note that he pointed to Abraham as a prime example of someone who was made righteous by faith, not works.
blessings from the Scripture: peace, grace, and hope.
How might believers and nonbelievers use these terms differently?
there's a reality that those who are drawn to Christ may suffer.
Being a believer does not free us from facing afflictions in this life:
Believers can rejoice in affliction
because they recognize God is at work in those difficult circumstances.
Paul listed benefits that accompany suffering for the sake of the gospel.
When we suffer for the gospel, God produces endurance in us.
This endurance involves perseverance in continuing to live for Christ.
Endurance produces character, and character produces hope.
This hope is a deep sense of peace that God
has a plan for our lives that no circumstance can derail
(Rom. 8:28). (PSG, p. 40)
Paul said that the hope God provides is grounded in His love for us.
Through His Spirit, He covers us with that love.
And, as we learn to embrace His love for us, our hope keeps growing.