Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, (2) through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. (3) And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; (4) and perseverance, character; and character, Hope. (5) Now Hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

The letter to the Romans was written by the apostle Paul. In our verses today Paul has just proved the doctrine of free justification through faith in Christ Jesus and writes regarding the healing of many as righteous on account of one man. The consequence of reconciliation is peace with God; the faithful no longer have an unappeased conscience or dread of divine vengeance. It is the removal of the wrath of God by the death of His Son. This peace is not just forgiveness but justification and reconciliation founded on the atonement of Christ. He who relies on his/her own works has no justification. We find peace through faith in Jesus only – not through ourselves in any way – neither by our own merits nor our own efforts. NO FAITH is righteousness sought by works.

Paul moves on to tribulation – that the faithful should rejoice in future glory but in present tribulations also. Suffering is made the means of our own sanctification and preparation for our usefulness here – afflictions work patience, endurance, character and hope. Our relationship to God has changed us – the relationship of all things to us has changed. We do not glory in affliction but God is using trials to shape our character and our response is not automatic but requires deliberate focus. And Paul here is not denying the pain of suffering but maintains that perseverance produces proven character. We will pass the test with the help of free grace and the indwelling Spirit.

c.s.Lewis writes that “We can ignore pleasure. But pain insists on being attended to. God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world…..no doubt pain as God’s megaphone is a terrible instrument; it may lead to final and unrepented rebellion, but it gives the only opportunity the bad man can have for amendment. It removes the veil, it plants the flag of truth within the fortress of the rebel soul.”