No hope without character

 

I was in church on Sunday morning, listening to a sermon on Romans 5. In spite of having read it hundreds of times in my life, I was struck by my lack of understanding. Suffering produces endurance, endurance produces character and character produces hope (Rom 5:3-4). Why have I never thought about how those things fit into the context of Paul’s argument in this chapter?

Probably the main reason is that I’m used to reading this part of the Bible and preaching about the assurance of hope from the second half of the passage. If Christ died for us while we were sinners, how much more will we be saved from wrath by his life? The Christian hope is certain because of what Christ has done.

But when you read that suffering leads to endurance, which leads to character, which leads to hope, then you’re left with a question: what produces hope? The death of Jesus or the character of God’s people? According to the passage, it’s the character of God’s people.

I’m not suggesting that Jesus’ death is unimportant; it’s vital. Hope is certain because of the death of Jesus. But I am suggesting that it’s not the only piece of the puzzle. For Paul, there’s another part of the equation: the word for ‘character’ is a word that means ‘tested’ or ‘proven’. As I read the New Testament, I am struck by the fact that those who persevere through suffering are those whose faith is proven. It becomes clear to all that they belong to Jesus.

That’s what Paul says of the Thessalonians (1 Thess 1): the gospel came to them “in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction”. How does he know? Because they imitated the apostles in suffering for the gospel (1 Thess 1:4-7). They turned from their idols to serve the living and true God and, as a result, so annoyed everyone else that they suffered. Likewise the Philippians (Phil 1:27-30).

It’s why, I think, Paul can say in Philippians 3 that he knows that the only righteousness that is worth having is Jesus’ righteousness. Therefore, he strives with everything he has to be found in Christ and to become like Christ in his death (Phil 3:8-11).

Whether we like or not, there will always be clear evidence that a person’s life has been joined to Jesus by the work of God’s Spirit. If, by the Spirit of God, we put to death the deeds of the body, we display that we are sons of God (Rom 8:12-14).

Which brings us back to Romans 5. Godly endurance in the face of suffering displays a person’s character; it shows that they belong to Jesus. And if you belong to Jesus, then God’s hope is absolutely certain, because Jesus has died to save you and God’s wrath holds no terror.

The implications of all of this are too many and too complex to begin delving into here. That’s why this is the first of a series of posts exploring the work of the Spirit, the place of suffering, the nature of assurance and the nature of evangelism. I reckon that’ll give us enough to think about for a while to come.

5 thoughts on “No hope without character

  1. “Godly endurance in the face of suffering displays a person’s character; it shows that they belong to Jesus.”

    I’d like some of the greek boffins to unpack the word “character” a bit more. I’m not really sure if your comment captures the meaning of it or not…

  2. Thanks Paul,
    this word is such an encouragement
    looking forward to more.
    Di

  3. Hi Craig,

    Sorry to take a while responding (although maybe I don’t qualify as a Greek boffin). I don’t think that it’s actually just about the word. But in terms of the word, BDAG (standard scholarly lexicon) lists two meanings:

    1) ‘the quality of being approved’, hence character Ro 5:4 (as a result of endurance and a prerequisite for hope).

    2) Test, ordeal.

    When you look at the word in the rest of the New Testament, it is used both in the sense of proof or approved and in terms of testing (eg. 2Cor 2:9 cf. 2Cor 9:13; 13:3)

    Of course, usage is more important than just lexical possibilities. And so you need to ask what you think the word means in the light of Romans 5. The sentence you highlighted is my explanation of how I think it sits in Romans 5. It is because of the place of ‘character’ in the progressive list that makes me think about how character comes from endurance and leads to hope. I think (and I pointed out in terms of Romans 8) that the hope is found in possessing the Spirit and belonging to Christ. The sign of having the Spirit is the character created by perseverance.

    Sorry for my ramble. If it doesn’t kind of answer the question, then can you tell me what makes you feel uncertain about my line?

    Thanks.

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