O. Book of Romans (from Corinth) ~ cont.
1. Universal sin and its answer; justification by faith, none are righteous ~ cont.
d. Results of justification - Romans 5:1-21
e. Sanctification - Romans 6:1-23; 7:1-6
(1) False sanctification - Romans 7:7-25
(2) True sanctification - Romans 8:1-39
And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience ; and experience, hope: and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. (Romans 5:3-5)
Glory in tribulation? Do we? What does Paul mean by glory? Tribulation = patience = experience = hope = not ashamed.
glory - G2744 - From some (obsolete) base akin to that of αὐχέω aucheō (to boast) and G2172; to vaunt (in a good or a bad sense).
tribulations - G2347 - From G2346; pressure (literally or figuratively).
worketh - G2716 - From G2596 and G2038; to work fully, that is, accomplish; by implication to finish, fashion.
patience - G5281 - From G5278; cheerful (or hopeful) endurance, constancy. G5278 - From G5259 and G3306; to stay under (behind), that is, remain; figuratively to undergo, that is, bear (trials), have fortitude, persevere.
experience - G1382 - From the same as G1384; test (abstractly or concretely); by implication trustiness.
hope - G1680 - Fromἔλπω elpō which is a primary word (to anticipate, usually with pleasure); expectation (abstract or concrete) or confidence.
ashamed - G2617 - From G2596 and G153; to shame down, that is, disgrace or (by implication) put to the blush.
Having been allowed some intense tribulations, I can firmly attest to Father's continual care in and through them. That doesn't mean I don't wilt when I get a new one, or cry to be REMOVED. However, I am fully assured though that HE can and will bring me through to the other side. I will be missing dross, but I will be purified and more conformed to HIS image. :-) Take heart if you are in the midst of trials, He will never leave you or forsake you. Never.
For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. (Romans 5:10)
enemies - G2190 - From a primary word ἔχθω echthō (to hate); hateful (passively odious, or actively hostile); usually as a noun, an adversary (especially Satan).
reconciled - G2644 - From G2596 and G236; to change mutually, that is, (figuratively) to compound a difference.
saved - G4982 - From a primary word σῶς sōs̄ (contraction for the obsolete σάος saos, “safe”); to save, that is, deliver or protect (literally or figuratively).
All I can think: Thank you Lord. In and of myself, I would have kept on hating God, desiring to pull down and destroy anything about Him. Whether I would have recognized that as my goal is not the point...it is the fact. One is either spiritually alive or dead. There is no in between. Jesus said that those who are not for Him, are against Him. Thank you Lord for Your reconciling work, past, present and future. :-)
Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. (Romans 6:18)
free - G1659 - From G1658; to liberate, that is, (figuratively) to exempt (from moral, ceremonial or mortal liability). G1658 - Probably from the alternate of G2064; unrestrained (to go at pleasure), that is, (as a citizen) not a slave (whether freeborn or manumitted), or (generally) exempt (from obligation or liability).
sin - G266 - From G264; sin (properly abstract). G264 - Perhaps from G1 (as a negative particle) and the base of G3313; properly to miss the mark (and so not share in the prize), that is, (figuratively) to err, especially (morally) to sin.
servants -G1402 - From G1401; to enslave (literally or figuratively). G1401 - From G1210; a slave (literally or figuratively, involuntarily or voluntarily; frequently therefore in a qualified sense of subjection or subserviency).
righteousness - G1343 - From G1342; equity (of character or act); specifically (Christian) justification. G1342 - From G1349; equitable (in character or act); by implication innocent, holy (absolutely or relatively).
How many of us actually think of ourselves in terms of being a servant? Redeemed to serve the master? Do we even have a desire to desire to please Him? Just typing that makes me realize how I fail to think in those terms. I go about my day and rarely think about what I am doing as to whether HE would find it pleasing. Do we seek to glorify Him in even the littlest of daily details?
