Persevere with Grace

Romans 5:1-5 By faith in Christ we are declared not guilty before God and we are at peace with God Verse 1 By faith we stand in grace Verse 2 Don't use today's mercy on tomorrow's uncertainty Rejoice!  God is at work for His glory Verse 2 Rejoice! God is working in you as you suffer Verse 3 We have been warned to expect suffering John 16:1-4, 33, Romans 8:16-18   The reality of the press is often unbearable Verse 3   Our response is to stand under the press Verse 3   In faith and by grace cling to the promises of God as you stand under the press John 16:33, Romans 8:28, 1 John 1:9, Deuteronomy 31:6, Psalm 118:6   Don't suffer alone   Christ-like character grows in us as we stand under the press Verse 4 2 Corinthians 12:8-10   God often times works through our suffering not to deliver us from the suffering, but to deliver us into Christ-likeness   Christ-like character results in more hope Verse 4 Romans 8:24-25   Our hope is affirmed by God's love Verse 5   Continually returning to God in your suffering for strength, hope, comfort and direction will result in a Christ-likeness others will see in us.