Ephesians 2:18 For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.
Our hope is in the salvation of Jesus Christ. Without faith it is impossible to please God. In order to receive from Him we must believe that He exists and that He is rewarder of those who place their trust in Him. In Jesus and through Him we have peace with Father. Christ within is our hope! God is for us and Holy Spirit in us will get us safely home to reside with Christ.
Romans 5:1-5 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
There will be many things that we go through in this life…BUT…God will turn the very things that were meant to destroy our faith and make a way for it to turn out for our good. God loves us so very much that in the fullness of the Godhead we are protected from the one who wants nothing better than to kill, steal and destroy our faith. Stand firm and watch God move!!! Carla
Paul has argued extensively that salvation comes only through faith (Romans 3:22). He assumes that conclusion here, using it as the starting point to expound on the implications of being declared righteous by God.
Faith, Paul uses this word similarly to how it is used throughout the Old Testament: to describe well-being, prosperity, safety from harm, and deliverance from enemies. This peace is more than just the absence of conflict; it is the result of having been declared righteous by faith ( Ephesians 2:14–17; Colossians 1:20). It also could refer to the believer’s subjective experience of peace with God.
This grace in which we stand indicates not only a past event, but also a present reality made possible by the work of Christ on the cross.
We boast refers to expressing trust in God to do what He promised. Paul uses a similar phrase to describe Abraham’s response of faith to God’s promise (Romans 4:20). Those who have faith like Abraham will not boast about their works (i.e., “good works” or “works of the law”); rather, they will boast in God’s power to provide despite human limitation and sinfulness. This stands in contrast to the idolaters (1:20–23).
Afflictions refers to suffering on account of persecution (1 Thessalonians 1:6; 2 Thessalonians 1:4). Some believers may have worried that such afflictions were a sign of God’s wrath; however, Paul challenges them to view suffering as a way to build character. (Romans 8:18)
Paul lists “afflictions” among the things that cannot separate Christians from Christ’s love.
The Greek word used here for disappoint, kataischynō, comes from the ancient Greek translation of the Old Testament (the Septuagint), where it means “to suffer shame [when judged]” (Isaiah 28:16; Romans 9:33).
The term elpis, which is translated as “hope,” refers to the hope that Abraham had: his trust in the creative power of God to do what He promised (4:18–21).
Through the presence of the Holy Spirit, every believer experiences God’s love and therefore can have hope despite sufferings. Faithlife Study Bible
Peace here is not a subjective feeling of peace. Rather, this peace is the state of being at peace instead of at war. The hostility between God and the believer has ceased. The believer has been reconciled to God.
To have access means “to approach,” as if by introduction into a king’s throne room. Believers have been granted admission to stand before God. Even though they were once rebels, they do not have to face His judgment. Instead they approach His throne in the realm of grace, or in the King’s favor.
Rejoice means “to boast” and hope means “expectation.” Believers boast in the sure expectation of the glory of God. They are confident, for God Himself has placed the Holy Spirit in their hearts (verse 5).
Glory is the same Greek word that is translated “rejoice” in verse 2. Believers can rejoice, glory, and boast not only in their future hope (verse 2) but also in their present troubles.
Tribulations refers to physical hardship, suffering, and distress. Perseverance means “endurance.” Trials and tribulation produce endurance when we exercise faith during those difficult times (James 1:2, 3). Such faith produces its own reward (Matthew 5:10–12; 2 Timothy 2:12). Perseverance produces character, the quality of being approved.
As believers endure tribulation, God works in them to develop certain qualities and virtues that will strengthen them and draw them closer to Him. The result is fortified hope in God and His promises. The hope that believers have of their future glory with God will not disappoint them by being unfulfilled. They will not be put to shame or humiliated because of their hope. The reason the believer can be so confident is that the love of God has been poured out. The moment a person trusts in Christ, that person receives the Holy Spirit (8:9), who constantly encourages them in their hope in God. The NKJV Study Bible
Romans 5:10–11 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.
1 Corinthians 15:1 Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand,
Matthew 5:11–12 “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Luke 21:19 By your patience possess your souls.
Galatians 5:22-23 (CSB) "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The law is not against such things."
Paul wrote about this in his letter to the Galatians as he contrasted godly growth against "works of the flesh" like jealousy, anger, and impurity (Galatians 5:19-21).
Paul clarified that there is a spiritual war between our flesh and God's Spirit. "The flesh" doesn't necessarily refer to our bodies; it represents all our human desires and affections that are dominated by sin and contrary to God's will. Scripture says we cannot serve both God's good desires and our own sinful desires. We have to choose to follow one or the other (Galatians 5:17).
Paul also made another interesting distinction by describing works of the flesh but fruit of the Spirit. With this, Paul illuminated two truths:
1. We cannot produce the fruit of the Spirit without seeds of faith.
So we reap what we sow (Galatians 6:7). To produce the fruit of the Spirit, Paul called Christians to walk faithfully "in step with the Spirit" (Galatians 5:25).
Paul also developed this idea in his letter to the Colossians: "Walk in [Christ], being rooted and built up in him and established in the faith" (Colossians 2:6-7).
The fruit of the Spirit will bud in our lives if we remain in Christ and let the seed of His Word take deep root in our souls (John 15:5).
2. The fruit of the Spirit is a gift from God.
In the same way we are saved by God's grace through our faith in Jesus, "not from works, so that no one can boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9), the Spirit of God produces fruit in us that is not the result of any human insight or resourcefulness. The harvest cultivated by the Spirit is the outgrowth of His work in our hearts.
To live rooted in Christ, we can nourish our souls with His Word, abide with Him in prayer, put to death the passions and desires of our sinful nature, and obey God's commands (John 15:10).
Putting sin to death is part of the daily call to become more like Christ. Today, let's choose to follow the Spirit's leading in every part of our lives so His seeds take root in our hearts. As we do, we can trust Him to bring forth the sweet fruit only He can produce. First5
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.”-Romans 12:2
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”-Philippians 4:8
“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”-Colossians 3:2
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