NO SHAME IN TRIBULATIONS

Romans 5:1-5 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope: and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Paul had just completed his lesson to the church at Rome proving that believing Christians, whocontinue in their obedience to God, are justified in His sight, just as His servant, Abraham, was justified by his works of faith. Being baptized into the body of Christ for the remission of sins, each Christian is reconciled to God. Paul, writing to Christians tells them that we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. The church of Christ is the body of Christ. It is also referred to, by Paul, as the kingdom of God, in which His children find righteousness and peace (Rom. 14:17). Within the body of Christ one finds peace because enmity against God has been reconciled, and the cares of the world have been left behind. This, Paul teaches as he writes, to be spiritually minded is life and peace (See Rom. 8:6-7).

Again, Paul assures Christians of peace when he writes about all faithful preachers, saying, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things (Rom. 10:15)! The peace that Christians find in Jesus cannot be found anywhere else in the world. And once found, nothing in the world can unwillingly take it away from them. Therefore, the gospel of Jesus Christ brings peace to all obedient believers. It is a peace that those living in worldly sin cannot experience, neither can they understand those Christians that do possess it. This is the sentiment that Paul taught those in the body of Christ at Philippi. To them he wrote, And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (Phil. 4:7).

Whatever access one has to God, whether through the avenue of prayer, the forgiveness of sins, or the hope of eternal life, comes through Jesus Christ. These blessings are available only to obedient Christians, and from them, comes peace with God. While on earth, Jesus taught I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me (John 14:6). The apostle Paul wrote this to the church at Ephesus, For through Him(Jesus Christ) we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father (Eph. 2:18). There is comfort and joy in those that stand on this promise of God - eternal salvation for His faithful children. It is for this wonderful blessing that we glorify God.

If there is one thing that the world observes, but cannot understand, about members of the body of Christ, it is the fact brought out in verses 3 through 5 of the lesson text. Christians rejoice in tribulations! Faithful Christians know that the hope of salvation comes by successfully coping with, and overcoming the trials, tribulations, and suffering during physical life here on earth. Paul gives us the formula for this hope when he tells us in this passage, that through tribulations, one learns patience, which is followed by experience, resulting in hope. And for this, obedient Christians rejoice, and never find it to be shameful. James wrote, Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love Him (James 1:12). Peter, also, confirms the teaching found in the lesson text when he wrote, ... if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf (1 Pet. 4:16).

As children of God, it is the hope of inheriting eternal salvation, for which Christians find no shame in the tribulations faced here on earth. Later on, in his letter to the Roman brethren, Paul writes, The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory, which shall be revealed in us (Rom. 8:16-18). To rejoice in the hope of the glory of God,is to never find shame in the tribulations of life, for by successfully overcoming them, we find the hope of eternal salvation. Rather than shame or disgrace, let us always rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice (Phil 4:4).