Lesson 58
Romans Chapter 5 - Results of
Justification by faith.
5:3-4 We not only exult in our future hope but we also
exult in the present assurance that we have in the midst of present
tribulations.
Blessing #5
in the inventory of blessings - having the capacity to exalt in the
midst of pressure, tests
Being
justified and therefore a believer is not an escape from life, from the
realities of living in a sin scarred
world, a godless and hostile world.
Every day
we must make many decisions to walk by the Spirit in the will of God.
- This on the surface, seems to defy common sense; How can
any one exult, glory in, have joy in tribulations, and pressures??
But what
he's going to say, which is consistent with other Scripture, is that as you work
through the tribulations, the pressures of life, the CHP's, YOU KNOW that there
is definite fruit being produced; in
that is the joy, the exultation.
- All this is impossible for the unbeliever since he lives
without hope; everything is now for
them.
The how
that we acquire this capacity to rejoice in the midst of pressure is KNOWING a sure knowledge from the Word
- What's the fruit of this knowing??
1. perseverance; 2. proven character; 3. hope
- Point Paul is making here is that even the pressures of
life, and they can be enormous at times, they do not overthrow the reality of
the blessings, the peace, the introduction/access, the standing, the hope, but
are themselves, that is, the pressures/tests of life, an occasion or basis for
joy as we realize the fruit from them.
5:3 And not only this, but we also exult in
our tribulations,
- tribulations qli/yij [only used fig] of the pressures, the tribulations,
brought on by external circumstances of life; of those things outside of your control; impact
of hostile conditions
- These tests/pressures may come from your relationship
with Christ; taking a stand for Christ,
for truth; 1 Th. 1:6;
The
greatest example of this is Paul
himself; 2 Cor 4:8-9; 6:4-10; 2 Cor 11:23-30
- More general in nature are the external pressures that
could arise and afflict any believer in
this life; Rom. 8:35 gives us a glimpse of what Paul might have on his mind in
this regard; also 1 Cor 4:11-13
- These pressures/afflictions/tribulations/sufferings
however you want to categorize them are there in our lives in order to
produce something; there is a definite purpose involved!
Our joy
or rejoicing comes not from the pressures, experiencing them but with what they
produce the fruit that comes from properly adjusting to them.
6th blessing is "knowing that our tribulation brings about;
or produces";
*** What we have here is a major indicator of what a
mature Christian is!
The
extent of maturity is demonstrated by how we deal with pressure.
- In context
we have 3 categories of fruit that pressure produces;
#1
perseverance #2 proven character #3 hope
Hope
-> pressures -> perseverance -> proven character -> hope which is strengthened
* The idea here is that the pressures/suffering inaugurates
a chain of linked virtues;
* This is not the only time we find this sort of chain of
linked values;
1 Pet
1:6-7; various trials -> proof or
demonstration of faith -> being tested and
approved by fire [greater tests]
What
about Jas. 1:2-4 know that the testing of your faith ->
patient endurance -> leads to
maturity [being all that God desires and expects]
- vs:2 -
Add up the facts, evaluate your situation by the known truth, DVPT,
- vs:3-4 - Must have patience, patient endurance as we
face the tests, the CHP's, the suffering that will come in our lives.
Objective: BECOMING A SPIRITUALLY WELL BALANCED
BELIEVER.