Romans Chapter 5 [verses 1-11]

"Suffering Produces God's Character"

Chapter 5 [verses 1-11]

Hey there,

Now that we know that our deeds will not gift us salvation, but that we are made righteous based on our trust in Jesus, we can peacefully enjoy life, and in confidence become who God created us to be.

What a wonderful feeling? I feel a huge burden of worry, come off my shoulders, right this minute. Phew, I can rejoice, and confidently pursue all that God has in store for me.

But just as I am joyful, and confident, I will also encounter struggles, and problems on the way to my Promise land. Paul encountered them, Jesus did, and so did the disciples, I am prone to also face them, after all God is not a respecter of persons, he will not just let me slip on by, without struggles.

Now that's settled, how do I enjoy life, in the midst of difficulties, and how do I face trials, when I don't even feel like smiling?

 Great question! I am sure we can find answers. Come on, let's go, and dig deep. But first let us PRAY  and jump right into scripture.

"Not only this, but we also rejoice in sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance, character, and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us." [Romans 5: 4-5]

Whoa, wait a minute REJOICE? How do I rejoice when I am drowning, in life, and everything seems to go against me? How do I find PEACE in the midst of the storm?

Our mindset has to change! Our understanding has to change! We cannot respond with our carnal emotions, and understanding. We must renew our minds, and focus on the outcome, not the current circumstance. The bible says that suffering is good for us, suffering refines us to be better, and even gives us great rewards. Where else can you learn the meaning of Endurance, patience, and hope?

 In the waiting room, in the midst of the storm, in the fiery furnace, that's where! 

Suffering is not fun, but we must learn to press through it, we must learn to be patient, and endure the trials, because it is in our trials, that we produce diamond characters, and godly fruits. Fire is uncomfortable, and scorching hot, but fire is necessary, fire is needed to develop the strength of character in us.[ snippet from DrivenByFire]

Do you understand now? And did you also know, that you can also, invite Jesus into your storm, as well as rise up in power to rebuke the storm? Yes, you can speak to your storm, on the authority of Jesus, and calm your raging seas. Yes you, a child of God, have access to God's power, and strength anytime, anywhere! 

"We as God's children are seated on the throne of God, and have power, and authority, to trample that snake under our feet." [Ephesians 2:6] 

"For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. (For rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person perhaps someone might possibly dare to die.) But God demonstrates his own love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, because we have now been declared righteous by his blood, we will be saved through him from God’s wrath." [Romans 5:6-9]

It is well with my soul, when I can confidently rely on the strength and power at the mansion of his NAME! 

Humbly serving, yours truly
-Firestarter