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Hope is the result of experiencing God’s grace through my daily life.

But first, let me backtrack a bit…

In Romans 5 there’s a progression, a series of steps for believers as you and I live each day:

1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

Jesus’ payment for man’s sin satisfied God’s demand for justice. His law was broken, and restitution was required. But… not just anyone could pay the price—only One who was sinless.

In a twist of irony, God Himself left the Heavenly realm and put on flesh to offer His own life as the perfect sacrifice. The Lamb of God.

Every time the Jews offered a lamb on the altar, God presented an object lesson. And with that, a promise: someday the Messiah will come to make the ultimate sacrifice.

Scripture uses hefty words to describe this transaction:

Propitiation… Redemption… Atonement… Reparation… Justification.

All carry the same meaning:  Through Christ God’s wrath was appeased (satisfied). This provided the way for reconciliation between God and man.

When I chose to believe at the age of 12, this payment was instantly applied to my account. In that moment I turned (repented) from my own way to follow Him. God absorbed my debt, leaving me in the clear!

God and I are now at peace with each other, because Jesus became the Peace-maker.

2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

This is where grace and hope come in—the benefits of being in Christ.

3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance;

But wait… God expects me to delight and triumph in my troubles?!? Yes, because He assures us, when we endure faithfully the trials of this life, we will be made stronger.

4 and perseverance, character (experience); and character (experience), hope.

As we keep moving forward, holding on and clinging to God’s promises while not giving up, His grace will rain down on us, using the experience to produce in you and me character like His.

The result? Through these experiences we will discover hope—the realization that He keeps His Word and we will be made better (more like Him) in the process.

5 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.

Be encouraged! When we place our expectation in Him, we will not be left disappointed or empty handed! God always gives more than He requires.