An Enduring Faith

A Living Faith
What is Faith?
Faith Calls for Perseverance

Romans 5:1-5

The Message

Developing Patience

 ^1-2By entering through faith into what God has always wanted to do for us—set us right with him, make us fit for him—we have it all together with God because of our Master Jesus. And that's not all: We throw open our doors to God and discover at the same moment that he has already thrown open his door to us. We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand—out in the wide open spaces of God's grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise. ^3-5There's more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we're hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we're never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary—we can't round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!

For Reflection

"Passionate patience,"  how alliterative, how difficult!  Patience is difficult for one waiting for a soldier to return from a dangerous deployment.  Patience is difficult for one who waits for a potential life threatening diagnosis.  Patience is difficult when one waits for a child to return to faithful roots.  Patience is always difficult. 

Stumbling through the fumes of our modern times takes patience.   It is hard to wear the armor of faith.  Even though we stand within the sweet bubble of God's grace, our confidence, commitment and trust is challenged.  Wait. Those who do will never be shortchanged.

Pray

for patience.  Pray that you will be able to endure the pressures for self-reliance and exchange the impossible for the miracle of reliance on God.  Pray to keep your FAITH.