Endurance Produces Character

Romans 5:1-5

“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 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. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 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.”

We began life on planet earth with a dead spirit toward God, we all came with a “WIIFM” spirit (What’s in it for me) but after our exposer to the gospel of Jesus Christ by faith we were convicted by His Spirit and came to grasp the love of the Father for each and everyone of us, and grace was extended by faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ as we entered into a relationship with God, and His Holy Spirit became our Helper and teacher.

When I came to understand to a small degree the magnitude of what had transpired in my spirit it became clear I was acceptable because of my act of confession and faith, and had obtained access by faith into God’s grace.  Have you experienced peace with God, and do you have a spirit of rejoicing in the understanding that Christ in you is the hope of glory?

Now what I consider as suffering is not being able to sleep which is what is happening at this moment, and yes, I’m very thankful I’ve not experienced suffering, as I have seen in the life of a dear lady named Marty Lindley who at the time of this paper is living out the following verses.  Marty, when ask if she ever loses faith, and why is this ten year battle with cancer happening to me, will answer “Why not me”?  For us who are observers we marvel at her resilient faith in a big God, who has promised to never leave her and we see His glory living in and through Marty.

I along with so many have been a witness to this truth lived out in Marty’s life; that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 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.”  Marty’s suffering has touched the lives of so many and we have seen Jesus living out His life in her earthsuit, because God’s love has been poured into Marty and her husband Jeff’s hearts.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice