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. ~Romans 5:1-5.
These five verses are packed with the Glory and Truth of God in our lives… But for now, I will focus on verses 3-5. When we were in the world going through tribulations, it never felt glorious. In fact, those are the moments that many people begin to seek out God. I think a common misconception people have is that once they know God they will no longer experience tribulations or trials. But the truth of the matter is that the Lord wants us to experience such things because they bring about change within us that is for His glory and righteousness.
The Word tells us that any tribulation, oppression, affliction, or distress in our lives works to bring about patience. I found the definition of patience had a much deeper meaning than I had originally thought:
Patience: steadfastness, constancy, endurance, not swerved from deliberate purpose, loyalty to faith and piety through the greatest trials and sufferings (Strong's)
Patience isn't just sitting quietly waiting – it is an active movement of our faith! Patience takes work, not just deep breaths. Perhaps I am the only person who misunderstood this… In Luke's account of Jesus' testimony, Jesus says to us in preparation of the end of times, "By your patience possess your souls" ~Luke 5:19.
This is the same patience as referenced above in Romans. Our "souls" refers to the seat of our affections, will, desire, emotions, mind, reason, and understanding. Possess our souls – what does that mean? It reminds me that our feelings do not matter, but Christ matters. We have to be so surrendered to the Lord that we are NOT SWERVED from our deliberate purpose to serve Him and follow His commandments. We must purposefully take hold of our affections and will in such a way that they are surrendered to Him and in turn become His will. Again, this is an ACTIVE process, not something that will merely happen because we hope it will. This is a spiritual battle that must take place if we are ever to win the war against the enemy in our lives. This battle begins in our minds…
This is the same patience as referenced above in Romans. Our "souls" refers to the seat of our affections, will, desire, emotions, mind, reason, and understanding. Possess our souls – what does that mean? It reminds me that our feelings do not matter, but Christ matters. We have to be so surrendered to the Lord that we are NOT SWERVED from our deliberate purpose to serve Him and follow His commandments. We must purposefully take hold of our affections and will in such a way that they are surrendered to Him and in turn become His will. Again, this is an ACTIVE process, not something that will merely happen because we hope it will. This is a spiritual battle that must take place if we are ever to win the war against the enemy in our lives. This battle begins in our minds…
"4(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;"
~2 Corinthians 10:4-5
We must hold every thought captive under the obedience of Christ and know that we are given tribulations and trials to produce a patience within us that will ultimately be a testimony to the world of Christ in us.
When it seems as though our troubles are unbearable or more than we can handle, we must rejoice in the afflictions and oppressions in this world because they establish a loyalty in our faith that has a deliberate purpose and cannot be swayed. In our steadfast endurance of faith and trust in the Lord, our character is purposefully tried in our experiences. God wants us to change – continually.
When we allow Christ to work in us and through us, we are found approved by the Lord where find rest in joyful expectation and full confidence of His promise to eternal life. In this hope, we are not ashamed of God, because His loves fills our hearts and makes us complete without the distractions from the enemy or the world. We allow the Holy Spirit to work in our lives however the Lord chooses.
My prayer is…
Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart. ~ Psalm 26:2
….for I know that my trials will produce the Lord's fruit in my life:
But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience. ~ Luke 8:15
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