Thursday, June 11, 2015

Which Pathway?

 

[Graphic of a sign]


“…we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.”
— Romans 5:3

The difficulty we find along the road of life is not in the pathway. The difficulty lies in our attitude as we walk along the way.

The Apostle Paul certainly understood that reality when he wrote these words in Romans 5:1-5:

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.

Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

Compared to Christian people in some parts of the world, our “sufferings” seem almost laughable. But, we do have real problems: life-threatening health issues, inability to obtain employment, broken relationships—the list is endless.

We need special grace from the Holy Spirit to actually “glory in our sufferings.”

So, let’s begin this day by thanking God for all He has done for us. Then, let’s ask Him for that special grace to make the words of the Apostle Paul our words.

 

Copyright © 2015 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.