Romans 5:1-5 Why True Believers Can Rejoice

Thus far in Romans, Paul has spent considerable time detailing man's need for
salvation. We have learned that man is a sinner and that he abides under the wrath
of God. We have seen that we are totally dependent upon faith to bring us into a
right relationship with the Lord. Paul now moves forward in his discussion of the
doctrines of salvation. Now, Paul begins to tell his readers the benefits of being saved
by grace through faith. In these first 5 verses of chapter 5, Paul tells us Why True
Believers Can Rejoice in their salvation. This evening, I want to tell you Why True
Believers Can Rejoice. If you haven't been in a rejoicing mood lately, I want to show
you why every child of God has the right to praise the Lord and be filled with "joy
unspeakable and full of glory"

We hear everyday of how people around the world are suffering. Just last week we
saw the ferry in South korea sink, and many kids were killed. And in Africa people are
starving everyday and in islam countries Christians are getting killed each day for
their faith. Weve got it easy. And its real hard for americans to wrap our heads
around what real suffering is, and when we go through hard times were like oh man
why we going through such suffering. And then you feel kinda dumb because then
you read these kinds of news. And its this hard place where you dont want to
complain but you still feel it. Maybe the biggest suffering we have is that we are
wealthy and blessed and dont know our need for the Lord and how deprived and
poor and blind we really are. But all that being said, we are also facing a difficult
season these days, people are losing their jobs their retirement money. So what we
do during trials, tribulations and suffering. I love paul because he knows what trouble
is. And he says here in the text v3. We glory in tribulations? Why would anyone glory
in tribulations. He says the reason is because V3-4. Because it builds
patience,character, and hope.
The first thing about trials is that its a sure thing. Its gonna happen in your life you
will go through trials. Bible promises it, especially if youre a Christian. Lot of people
get saved and they think that because they born again now that life is going to be
great and beautiful and perfect. And the reason theres confusion is that because if
you do accept Christ you will have peace and a joy that is awesome. But that doesnt
mean life wont be without suffering. Infact you will have real trouble but as a
Christian if you trust in the Lord you will have peace and joy even in the middle of
trials and troubles and thats what the Lord promises and you can claim that promise.
But He also promises that if youre Godly and you live for the Lord you are going to
suffer. 2 timothy 3:12 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus
will be persecuted. 1 Peter 4:12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that
has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.
Hes saying dont think it is strange when you go through trials. You see thats the
problem, we go through this time of difficulty and struggle and peter is saying man
you gotta learn to accept that kind of stuff. Its gonna come, dont think its strange
when you go through these trials and troubles. Paul, he was a guy who knew, he says
I rejoice in tribulations. The word "tribulations" means "pressure".
There are certainly times when this life will exert pressure on the child of God.
However, the mature Christian also knows that it takes pressure to produce
Christlikeness. Pressure is the process used to turn coal into diamonds. And, it is
pressure in the life of the believer that forces out the old, sinful nature and reveals
more of the image of God.
Paul tells us all about the benefits derived from the "pressures" of life. Note the
progression mentioned in these verses.

1. Tribulation 2. Patience 3. Experience 4. Hope.
Basically, what Paul is saying is that when troubles come in our lives as a result
of our walk with the Lord, we learn to endure and through endurance we are
matured and proven in our character, then as we see God sustain us in the
difficult time, we can rest in the deep settled knowledge that He is in control
and will see us through.
2. Trials and tribulations lead to maturity. The road to maturity is paved with
struggle! What does it do? He says we rejoice in tribulation we glory in
tribulation; why because it builds first Patience, then experience or character,
then hope. And you go well, what does all of that mean. Patience thats
obvious. When we go through trials thats the hardest part. Waiting for the
answer to come, waiting for the solution to our problems. But then experience
tells us that the Lord does come through. Many of you have been through hard
times and can say it build patience. I wanted it to happen early but the Lord
came through on His time. You have the experience. Now how does hope come
from trials and tribulations. Paul would say this, dont set your affections on
things of the earth but on things above. In colossians he says look to the things
above and not of things to the earth. And theres something in your life that
will make you more heavenly minded, looking forward to the hope of heaven.
Infact I think the older people are looking forward to heaven more than
anybody. Cause what happens? When youre young you think oh man I want to
live life! I want to get my drivers license, that will be awesome! I can drive
wherever I want! But those of you that got your license realize that theres
insurance to be paid and you will crash your car and then they raise your
insurance, then you got to pay for gas, and your car gets old and starts to break
down, then driving is nothing but a pain!

And then theres marriage. If I could just get marriage then its gonna a blissful
life! Now marriage is wonderful but when you are married paul said there is
going to be trouble. Another promise you can claim in the Bible. But you know
what?, in marriage you start loving someone. When you love someone theres
also hurt, and challenges and you realize man that is a little hard sometimes.
And then you feel your body start getting old and youre like oh Lord please
come quickly before I die. The point is life just goes on and it so daily and you
realize its not really about this life. But when you start going through trials and
troubles you start having the hope of heaven. Where you get a new body.
Praise the Lord.
If you go through the Bible you can see many examples. If you ask Abraham he will
point to Mt. Moriah, if you ask Jacob he will point to the pillow of stone, If you ask
joseph he will point to the Egyptian prison. Ask Daniel and he will point to the lions
den. Ask john and he will point to Patmos. Ask any believer who has traveled far
with Jesus and he will tell you that "God's blessings are poured from a bitter cup!"
Hope. Paul says yea it will build patience and character but it also builds hope within
you when you go through trials. We should be glad. It brings to maturity. Its the
mature believer that says you know its not about this life. And trials build patience
then experience and then as we get close to the end of this life, closer to the rapture
of the church, we realize its about heaven, the hope of heaven.

As we go through this life, there will be many difficult days. However, as we face all
the things that will come our way, we always have the precious Holy Spirit in us to
guide us, to teach us, to constantly remind us of the awesome love of God for His
children. He makes the trip bearable! He makes the destination believable. If we will
but learn to rest in the Spirit of God, He has the power to keep our hearts in perfect
peace, regardless of how difficult the way becomes, "Thou wilt keep him in perfect
peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusts in thee.", Isa. 26:3
And hopefully these reasons are more than sufficient to give every child of God
justification to rejoice in God and in His salvation.