Glory in Tribulations

Romans 5:3-5 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation works patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope makes not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. 

‘Tribulation’ trials test religion and faith and the man who stands true in them proves his religion sound and his faith genuine. Tests work patience and patience works perfection (Jas. 1:3-4, 12; Rom. 5:3-5; 1Pet. 1:7). Eight facts about Christian suffering: Suffering is not strange or unusual for Christians (1Pet. 4:12; 2Tim. 3:12). One should rejoice when a partaker of the sufferings of Christ (1Pet. 4:13; Mat. 5:10). The greater the suffering the greater the joy and glory (1Pet. 4:13; Rom. 8:17-18). Besides the greater glory to come the Christian has the Holy Spirit upon him now to enable him to endure (1Pet. 4:14; Rom. 8:26-27). Christian sufferings glorify God (1Pet. 4:14; Rom. 8:17-18). It is an honour, not a shame, to suffer as a Christian (1Pet. 4:16). Though sufferings begin with Christians, they end in an eternal weight of damnation to the ungodly (1Pet. 4:17-18). Sufferings should be borne by Christians, in patience as in the will of God, realizing that God is always faithful to His own in their sufferings (1Pet. 4:19; 1Cor. 10:13).

‘Patience’ [Greek: hupomone] Two blessings of perfect patience: Perfect – personal perfection in the knowledge of the gospel and the will of God. Entire – personal completeness in all graces and gifts of God.

‘Experience’ [Greek: dokime] translated “trial” (2Cor. 8:2); “experiment” (2Cor. 9:13); “proof” (2Cor. 2:9; 13:3; Php. 2:22); and “experience” (Rom. 5:4).

‘Hope’ is the confident expectation of what God has promised and will do and its strength is in His faithfulness.

‘Because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us’ four reasons why we can glory in tribulations: Our justification and peace (5:1); the grace of God in Christ (5:2); the love of God in our hearts (5:5); the power of the Holy Spirit (5:5).