Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— 8 but God shows his love for us in thatwhile we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved byhis life. 11 More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
Faith and Hope
Faith and hope permeate the above section. In the face of suffering, what do we have to look forward to? If we are living in an unstable world which has poverty and injustice, what reason is there for a positive outlook?
We stand in grace. God has given us more than we can imagine. So why doesn’t it feel that way? When we imagine, our imaginations are often polluted by the world. We imagine a perfect home, a perfect spouse, a perfect family. We imagine health, wealth and that brings happiness. How much do our minds dwell on God and on heaven? Focusing on God takes us to new heights, but what we imagine about God is limited by our own minds. God is in the business of blowing our minds.
Ultimately we are reconciled with God in ways that we have not dreamed of. However, we are reconciled through Christ in the here and now. Our lives should be different because we have no barrier between us and Jesus. A faithful response to the gospel has us living in the lap of God each day. We are cared for, cherished and nurtured by our Father. Our faith grows and our hope becomes more certain in our minds.
Prayer
May we see the way that you are growing our faith and our hope. May we live with different goals than those around us. Then, with eyes fixed on heaven let us exercise faith.
Questions
- How many times are the words faith and hope used in this passage?
- How are faith and hope related?
- Why is Christian faith different from other faiths?
- What kind of future do you dream of?
- What kind of life has Jesus secured for you through faith?
Plymothian 
While many people hope for a better future, it is only through faith in Jesus Christ that our ultimate hope can be fully realized. The passage says that we access God’s grace through faith and this faith leads us to rejoicing in the hope of the glory of God. We can place our faith in many things and ultimately hope for any number of outcomes, but through Christ we can hope to be in the presence of the most holy God.
Why is it so hard to fix my eyes upon God when it is so easy to fix on others?
Lord, thank you for your grace.Thank you for allowing us to believe in you who is beyond our understanding and imagination. Love you, God! You are my everything ❤
1. How many times are the words faith and hope used in this passage? Faith is used 2 times, and hope is used 3 times.
2. How are faith and hope related? Since we have faith we can now rejoice in the hope and anticipation of the glory of God.
3. Why is Christian faith different from other faiths? It is different because God gives of himself to redeem us, we are not saved through works or good deeds but because of a self-sacrificing God
4. What kind of future do you dream of? I do dream of a future filled with a loving family and a good job and a healthy church; it is good to be reminded that those perfect concepts are not reality and that my future dwelling with God should be more on the forefront of my mind
5. What kind of life has Jesus secured for you through faith? He has secured me a life of hope and peace, filled with love from him and union with him, freedom from my sin and guilt
You’re point about the world “polluting our imaginations” was very interesting to me. I can see the evidence in my own life. Often I look at where I am in life and I can feel dissatisfied. I ask God for more when He has already given me so much.
We truly are polluted by the world. We ask God to bless us and He replies, “I have blessed you; I have given you myself. I have given you my Son. I have given you grace, forgiveness, and love.” We don’t even let God finish before we interject, “is that it?” We are like a spoiled child who received a few presents less at on their birthday than the previous year.
God has given us the greatest gift we could ever imagine, but too often we desire the cheap knock-offs the world offers in stead.
How many times are the words faith and hope used in this passage?
Faith: 2
Hope: 3
How are faith and hope related?
Because we have faith in Christ, our hope is in him. Hope and Faith are products of one another.
Why is Christian faith different from other faiths?
The Christian faith is in a personal God who has provided the way through himself to bring us back to him through salvation.
What kind of future do you dream of?
What kind of life has Jesus secured for you through faith?
A life of hope
In the midst of difficulties, Rom 5:3-5 has been a comfort. I especially like the way the HCSB translates verse 5– “this hope will not disappoint us”. Hope can be so fickle a concept, but true hope, hope in God, will never disappoint us.
1. Faith 2, Hope 3
2. We have hope by faith
3. It offers a sure hope, not a contingent hope
4. A future where God makes me into the person he would have me be
5. A life of faith and hope, reconciled with God
The Christian faith is different because our hope does not put us to shame.
The hope of other religions will put them to shame because they are not hoping in the truth. We are, so we will not be put to shame.
It is so easy to become discouraged and broken by all the hurt that is happening around us. It is so easy to “freeze up” and be so overwhelmed with sadness that moving is not even an option. Although amidst all this dark pain, looking ahead to Heaven and setting our minds on things unseen is so much sweeter. The heaviness of this life, as bad as it is, pushes us Heavenward, as we look forward to the day..
This passage brings me to tears! I am reminded of the awesomeness and unfathomable love of God. I find the courage to rejoice in my sufferings. I am amazed at God’s love for me – while I was still a sinner, Christ died for me. It feels amazing to let these words sink in. I am reminded once again that I can do nothing to save myself. I am completely reliant on God’s grace.
1. How many times are the words faith and hope used in this passage?
Faith- 2
Hope- 3
2. How are faith and hope related?
Because of faith, we can rejoice in hope.
3. Why is Christian faith different from other faiths?
The Christian faith is different from other faiths because it produces a hope that does not put us to shame.
How many times are the words faith and hope used in this passage?
Faith is used 2 times, and hope is used 3 times.
How are faith and hope related?
Because of our faith in God, we can have hope.Without him, there is no hope. Faith is confidence in the hope of Christ.
1. Faith is repeated twice while hope is repeated three times.
2. Faith eventually produces hope.
3. We are required to have a reliance on God whereas other religions require people to rely on their own strength to merit the goals of their religion.
4. A future where I am in the center of God’s will for me, a place where I am secure in Him and being transformed more into the likeness of His Son in community with others.
5. He has secured a life where faith which is a gift from Him is all that is required to enter into relationship with Him and once that relationship is entered into He grows and brings beautiful things out of that faith.
1. Faith is repeated two times, hope is repeated three times.
2. Faith, with time, will produce hope.
3. The Christian faith is different because our faith leads to a hope that won’t put us to shame, because of what God has done for us through Christ.
4. I dream of a future in which God is being glorified, wherever I am.
5. He has secured for me a life that is hopeful and secure.