Hope in Glory (Commentary on Romans 5:1-5)

Do you have a scripture that you could just live in?

This is mine...this week, anyway. 

Romans 5: 1-5

“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.

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.”

Hmm. I could just stay there. Several days ago I read the verse, “Hope does not disappoint,” and cried. Isn’t that liberating? Sometimes I feel afraid to hope- desiring something good and to my favor- because I think of how painful it will be if what I am hoping for doesn’t come to fruition. How good is God to give us permission to hope without risk?

Today when I read this same scripture over again, I was stuck on REJOICE IN HOPE of the GLORY OF GOD. Bill Johnson says to rejoice is to “Be joyful. Then, do it again.” In what? The Glory of God.

Oh, The Glory of God. Essentially, God’s glory is the essence of who He is. In Exodus 33:18-19, Moses asks to see God’s glory, and God responds, “I will cause my Goodness to pass before you.”

We rejoice in anticipation of God’s goodness. That is something to rejoice about!

“And, not only that, but we also GLORY in tribulations.” Romans 5:3

Suddenly glory goes from this brilliant essence of God to a verb. We glory in tribulation. How does one glory? Well, with a quick Google of Greek, the term alternates with exalt or boast. So similar to God’s Glory being the very reason for his exaltation, we experience His glory and release the essence of who He is when we exalt Him. We rejoice in the hope of the glory of God because we can experience His glory. That’s how we give Him glory. Glory can be complicated because it’s essentially as mysterious and completely concrete as God is. Just know 1) God’s glory is His essence, 2) You bring God glory when you operate out of His essence, AKA, He created you for a purpose. In tribulation we express who God is by allowing Him to work patience and character and hope within us. 

We all know that tribulation produces patience and perseverance. Been there, done that. Right? But, what stood out to me is that:

“...perseverance produces CHARACTER, and CHARACTER, HOPE.” Romans 5:4

How does character produce hope?

And, why is hope the goal, here? Isn’t character the crown of a decent human being? Shouldn’t that be the final frontier….not hope?

Back to Google and Greek. Character is interchangeable here with experience. Perseverance produces experience. What is so valuable about experience? Well, we build a history with God. We learn He is faithful. Character here is referring to trusting God, and as we began to trust God unwavering, a seed of hope is planted within us, a hope of glory. Hope of His goodness being displayed in the most unlikely of circumstances.

 Earlier in the week I cried at the idea that hope would not disappoint me, but now I understand that this sort of indestructible hope comes at a price. We can't switch it on like faith. Real hope, cultivated hope, comes as a result of trusting God in trial.

“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.” Romans 5:5

When perseverance has produced character, and character, hope, we will not be disappointed. We'll have hope in what we dared to believe all along as we walked through the wilderness- we are loved by God. We rejoice in the hope of His glory. 

This is why we cannot help but glory in trial. This is why character produces hope. This is why He shares His glory with us, and once we taste it, hope digs a deep soil bed in our hearts, and we won’t be disappointed.