“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.” (Romans 5:1-2 NIV84)

In a world that has been filled with drama and despair since the beginning, God has offered hope with a covering and protection. Just as He covered Adam’s and Eve’s nakedness and protected them from the tree of life, Jesus has come to cover our sin with his blood and opened the way to the tree of life for all eternity with his resurrection giving us hope.  

While we have this hope in Jesus Christ, we still live in a world with drama and despair. Yet Paul reminds us how God uses our trials and sufferings to produce in us hope through His love for us. He would say, “we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” (Romans 5:3-4) This is also Jesus’ encouragement to His Disciples, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 6:33) He has overcome this world and death through the Resurrection. When we put our faith in Jesus Christ, He justifies us before the Father and gives us His peace. 

All of this comes to us because of God’s love for us. “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) It is knowing that God went to this extent in order for us to be able to come to Him, which gives us the perseverance to live life. It also reminds us that God is at work in our lives molding us into the image of God through Christ. Knowing that He is working in our lives gives us joy in the midst of it all. “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:2-4)

Scripture also gives us encouragement through the lives who have lived in a relationship with God. We are not alone for there have been many who have had struggles in life and God has shown Himself faithful in their lives lived by faith. “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” (Hebrews 12:1-3) As God has been at work in the lives of those who have been before us, He now is alive in us and we have hope. Let us rejoice in the hope we have for a day will come when we will be with Jesus for eternity.

In the Love of Jesus,

Michael Block