Tag: romans 12

MARKS OF THE TRUE CHRISTIAN

PART 1 – REJOICING IN HOPE

Have you ever been asked, “how is it possible to be so joyful in your situation?” or ” how are you being so patient with ___________?

Paul in Romans 12 shows us what the true character of the child of God has. A character of hope, a character of patience and a character of steadfastness.

Romans 12:9-12 “ “Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”

IN ANY WALK OF LIFE, THERE WILL BE TIMES OF GREAT BLESSING AND TIMES OF GREAT DIFFICULTY.

There will be times when we will be joyful, and times of desperation in the middle of our crisis. But experience in the Christian walk is to be a learning tool. You don’t learn truth by just remembering it you learn it by experiencing it in our lives. God teaches us His word through experience.

HOW TO REJOICE IN HOPE WHEN LIFE IS HARD?

  • IF WE KEEP THINKING THAT SOMETHING IS GOING TO HAPPEN, AND IT DOESN’T, YOU END UP FEELING SICK, DON’T PUT YOURSELF IN THAT POSITION. DON’T LIVE YOUR LIFE IN SUCH A WAY THAT YOU SET YOURSELF UP TO BE DISAPPOINTED.

PROVERBS 13:12 

Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.

Romans 5:1-5

5 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

As you learn to rejoice in hope, you will not be overcome by life’s hardships. Instead, you will overcome them with good!

IN HIS WORD, GOD CALLS US TO PERSEVERE OVER THE LONG HAUL.

Are you pressing onward toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God? – Philippians 3:14