lia

This is probably one of the devil's favorite tactics! Yes, we are all sinners, and fall short. However, its what you do afterward that is important. Yes, we all sin but because of Christ's death, but if we repent, forgiveness is readily at hand. With the understanding that Christ died for the ungodly, allows believers to be able to relate to those who are not saved because they were there at one point in their lives also. God saw us, and understood how lost we were. Shame on us that it took the Son of God to be crucified because we had strayed so badly. Then again, because of Jesus, no sin is to big for forgiveness. When the devil lies, and says we are too bad to be forgiven, let us remember what Romans 8:38-39 says...nothing can separate us from the love of God.

Sufferings and tribulations, in the life of a believer, will always have an outcome with hope. We endure trials and tribulations in many forms however, with God's help, we are able to endure. The outcome is always promising, no matter what the situation. If we live through the trial, then we have obtained, only with God's help, character and strength that is pleasing to God. Now, if we do not live through suffering and tribulation, our hope does not end, for we will spend eternity with God. So, my point, either way, if we continue to trust God, endure and follow through, there is always hope in the end. Hope: Brings confidence because we know God's promises. Whatever outcome this life brings, we will always have the promises of God, to stand on. For those who do not know God, their understanding of "hope," can only just get them by. Perseverance: Gives believers strength. Without the strength which only God provides, how would we be able to withstand the next trial? Therefore, strength from God is an amazing thing. It allows us to sustain. Character: Without character, believers would most likely be weak. The type of character in a believer can only come from God allowing trials to build us up.

Faith and justification go hand in hand. In other words, one without the other cannot work. We need faith, first of all, to believe that through Christ's death and resurrection, that justification has been granted to us, if we indeed believe this. In Romans 4, Abraham "believed," and through this was righteousness imputed on him. In Romans 5, we are granted justification because of our belief in Christ, therefore gaining access to the hope that only He can give.