“KNOWING”-(Read Romans 5:3-4)
What does God want you to be assured of in your troubles, great pressures, tribulations, sufferings? In Romans 5;3-5 we see one truth that He would have us to be fully assured of, to Know for certainty!
How can we “know” with certainty, to be “fully aware” that God has not abandoned or is against us? He has lovingly given us His Word to help us in such times to quieten our hearts and assure them that He is “producing, bringing about” something of eternal value and temporal good, though to be sure they can be painful as the word “tribulations, sufferings” attest to! But in the verses they show they are not futile for the child of God which you are, but have personal, corporate and Divine purpose for the benefit of all followers of the LORD JESUS. For example in Romans 5:3-4 He is using these tribulations, sufferings, great pressures in the follower of Christ’s life to spiritually develop them in producing three virtue’s, “perseverance, character, hope.”
Your trials, troubles, have purpose, beyond the pain-and therefore Paul knowing this tells his hearers to “Exult, Glory”- to be joyfully confident because of what they “KNOW!” They have been given the ability to be fully aware of what God is producing through these tribulations! They have “insight!” So, in light of these verses what does God want you to “Know,” for certainty? The word means to be “Fully aware,”-assured, about your tribulations, sufferings? “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we KNOW that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope”-(Romans 5:3-4) It doesn’t lessen your pain, but it does help you to know that God is working, even your present and any tribulation you will go through , – and here is a promise in your pain- “God is able to work all things together for good to those who love Him and are the called.” And you love Him! Count on Him!
- -You Now “Know!” Or perhaps have been reminded as it is so easy to foget when we are in a trial, intense time of troubles, suffering. I hope this will encourage and strengthen your faith.
2. – Share with others so they can “Know” in their sufferings three virtues God is producing…
Paul ends Romans 5:5 with the assurance that God loves us and has Gifted His Holy Spirit to us to remind us He loves us and trials, troubles, are not punishment but He is usong even these hardships to bring about Chrstlikenes in us through producing “perseverance, proven character and hope that will not dissapoint!” And His Word has shown us so we can “KNOW!’
(Encourage your heart by reading Romans 5:3-4; James 1:2-4; 2 Cor 1:3-4; 1 Peter 5:10)
God Bless, Aidan