Romans 5:4: And Endurance Produces Character, And Character Produces Hope

Romans 5:4
[4] and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, (ESV)

In the previous verse Paul told us that it is our suffering that produces endurance. None of us enjoys suffering. In fact, we tend to do everything we can to avoid it. Yet, suffering produces endurance. God is not interested in our faith just having a beginning. Our faith has an end in the glory of God. It is a faith that endures through all hardship.

This endurance I like to call "stick-to-it-ive-ness." Yes, I know it is not a word, but you get the point. We stick to it, no matter what. This enduring faith produces character. Have you ever seen a prominent leader in the faith somehow fall away? One of the most notable things we see in someone who falls away is a failing in their character.

Those who do not have an enduring faith will have a lack in their character. A person's character proves to others what is really in their heart. If you do not have a faith that is enduring, you will demonstrate a character that proves your faithless heart. It is important for us to have a faith that experiences suffering, which produces endurance, which produces character.

What next? Character produces hope! The kind of hope that Paul is talking about here is not the flimsy whims of wishes a person may have. Hope in this context is an absolute certainty in God's promises. The assurance of our faith is what comes to mind in this understanding of "hope." Do you want to be assured of your faith in Christ? Follow Paul's words here.

Suffering produces endurance. Endurance produces character. Character produces hope. Are you experiencing this process in your Christian walk? Or are you fighting it? Allow the Holy Spirit to lead you on this journey of faith for the glory of God.

Comments

Romans 8:18: For I Consider That The Sufferings Of This Present Time Are Not Worth Comparing

Romans 8:18 [18] For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. (ESV) Perspective. What an important word. Let's be honest. We do not like the idea of suffering. We will do almost anything to avoid any kind of suffering. Some churches have gone so far as to preach against the idea of suffering, declaring it to not be a part of the true believer's life. Paul is not shy about the topic. Paul uses the sufferings of this present time as a means to consider the greater glory that awaits us. Perspective. Paul is not in any way attempting to diminish our suffering. A view toward eternity puts our suffering in a proper understanding. Yes, our suffering is terrible. In the grand scheme of eternity it is not even worth comparison. Maybe you are thinking that Paul does not know what he is talking about when it comes to suffering. In 2 Corinthians 11 Paul describes countless beatings, often near death,

Romans 11:24: For If You Were Cut From What Is By Nature A Wild Olive Tree, And Grafted, Contrary To Nature, Into A Cultivated Olive Tree . . .

Romans 11:24 [24] For if you were cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, the natural branches, be grafted back into their own olive tree. (ESV) We continue looking at the illustration of an olive tree. The root of the tree is the covenant relationship relationship of God with Abraham. Abraham's faith is what this spiritual tree is built on. The first branches would have been the faithful people of Israel, who like Abraham, placed their faith in God. They believed God, just like Abraham, and it was credited to them as righteousness. There were branches of the people of Israel who never placed their faith in God. Because these branches were not true followers of God they were broken off of the tree. Faith in God was the essential element that made the branches true branches of this spiritual tree. Some branches remained. Others, the faithless unbelievers, were removed. After Jesu

Romans 15:20-21: And Thus I Make It My Ambition To Preach The Gospel, Not Where Christ Has Already Been Named

Romans 15:20–21 [20] and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else's foundation, [21] but as it is written, “Those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand.” (ESV) We need to be reminded continually that the message of the Gospel is intended to move all across the world. Jesus said that his followers were to preach the Gospel, starting in Jerusalem, and continue preaching the Gospel to the whole world. Christians have not always been good at delivering the Gospel message as far and as often as they should. In the first century church it took intense persecution to motivate the disciples in Jerusalem to bring the Gospel to Judea and Samaria. Once the disciples fled to new regions they shared the Gospel wherever they went. Would the disciples have preached the Gospel without the persecution? We may never know. Some probably would have stayed in their co

Search This Blog