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“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.” (Romans 5.1-4; emphasis mine, jb).

Glorying in tribulations truly is a state of mind. The glorying to which Paul alluded was something that believers did while “knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.” In fact, they understood that tribulations were not without profit to their souls. Perhaps had there been no benefit to them, their attitudes would have been different. However, like many otherwise unpleasant experiences, they can be endured as long as there is knowledge that some benefit that will result. Medicine that tastes bad, strenuous physical exercise, telling a friend something that is difficult but nonetheless needed – these and scores of other things fall into the category of things that are not savory but which can be beneficial.

Consider the following biblical example of this principle: “And they [the Sanhedrin] agreed with him [Gamaliel], and when they had called for the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.” (Acts 5.40-42; emphasis mine, jb). In this case, real and tangible threats had been made in order to curtail the actions of the believers in proclaiming the name of Jesus to unbelievers. However, the reward of preaching and teaching about Jesus was stronger motivation than the fear that might have been stirred up by the threats of the Jewish council. Hence, these early Christians rejoiced in the fact that they were counted worthy of the persecutions that lay at their door.

Paul did not merely preach this doctrine; he lived it. All throughout the book of Acts Paul had reason after reason (from a human viewpoint) to stop declaring the name of Jesus and retiring to a less hazardous lifestyle. However, even when he was begged by others not to subject himself to the hazards that went with preaching and teaching Jesus, Paul unswervingly continued the path that would lead him toward Jesus and persecutions. On one such occasion when he had been asked to alter his course and thereby avoid impending dangers, Paul stayed the course and said, “What do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” (Acts 21.31).

What value it to suffer if there are no lessons to be learned? What profit is it to endure persecutions if God is not glorified? Peter answered these questions when he wrote, “Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.” (1 Peter 4.16). Our persecutions are to God’s glory! It is not about us; it is about Him! Although we may profit, God profits more and that is reason enough for any amount of suffering that we may be called upon to endure.

Questions:

1. What is the meaning of tribulation?

2. What motives sustained the Roman believers as they endured persecutions?

3. Paul was willing to suffer and die for Jesus? Why? What motivated him?

4. If we suffer as Christians, who should be glorified in the process?

"Inspiration For You" from Randy Mitchell

Watching Your Dollars Fly Away