Proven Character

Romans 5

Peace and Joy

¹Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we^a]">[a]have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, ²through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we^b]">[b] rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. ³Not only so, but we^c]">[c] also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; ⁴perseverance, character; and character, hope. ⁵And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

Sometimes things happen to me and I have no idea why. And I stress, and I fear. But I am learning that suffering produces perseverance, which in turn produces character, and proven character brings hope.

I know that the Lord is interested in proven character while many are simply interested in gifts. Gifts will always be important, but God is interested in our characters.