Weekly Devotional: The hope of glory (4 in Romans series)

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:1–11 (NIV)

“Therefore.” Paul uses this word in his letters to signify a change or a climax or a conclusion. Here in the letter to the Romans, he uses it to signal that he’s moving from his discussion of how people find redemption through Jesus to the benefits of living as those who are transformed and redeemed. We who have “peace with God” now can “boast in the hope” of God’s glory – our salvation is assured and we are free to embrace life empowered by God’s Spirit living within us. No longer do we need to be shackled to the ways of sin. And all of this through Christ’s death – he who died not only for good people, but for the ungodly.

We hold onto the hope of glory, which helps us when we suffer and things go wrong. Because we live in a fallen world which is not as God intended it, we experience pain and the death of loved ones and disease and betrayal and so on. The Lord redeems our pain, and through our suffering we learn to persevere, our character is strengthened, and we find hope that does not disappoint.

And yet sometimes some Christians seem to put such a positive spin on suffering or pain that they almost seem to welcome it. Yet how can we rejoice in cancer or heartache or any of the horrible things we experience and witness on a regular basis? I believe the Lord doesn’t send these things to us, but when they happen in this fallen world, he’s right there with us, holding us and helping us.

Today, know the assurance of the Lord that he will never leave you and that through Jesus’ sacrifice you are his redeemed one whom he loves.

For reflection: “Even though I walk through the darkest valley,I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4).