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.