Passage:

“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 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. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 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.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭5:1-5‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/rom.5.1-5.esv

Paraphrase:

Now that we have been made right with God through faith in what has been done by Jesus Christ for us, we also have peace with God. Along with peace comes the grace of God that allows us to remain and rejoice with hope in seeing God’s glory. In the meantime we can even rejoice in our sufferings knowing that it is not in vain because through them we will obtain endurance which leads to character which leads to hope and hope won’t bring us shame because of the love spread out in our hearts through Holy Spirit.

Premise:

Our righteousness has nothing to do with us but with what Christ has done for us. However, we do endure such things as suffering in this life because of what He suffered. Yet, we know that all suffering can bring about good qualities if we will allow it: endurance, character, and even hope.

Principle:

We are made right because of the wrong done to Jesus.

Jesus suffered in my place so that I could have peace with God.

We enter into a relationship with God through faith in what Christ has done.

Ponder:

What suffering have I had to endure? How has it produced a godly outcome?

Have I seen my endurance, character and hope grow as a Christian?

Practice:

Embrace any suffering as a teacher of life.

Rest in the reality of what Christ has done already.

Be thankful and conscious of the peace of God.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, thank you for the suffering you endured to secure my righteousness and peace with God. Lead me in life as I face different challenges to endure and come forth with greater character and hope. Let me be a beacon of your love and hope and peace. You alone are my hope and peace and love: thank you for taking my place!