Romans 5:2

The Apostle tells us that the Christian rejoices “in hope of the glory of God.” (Romans 5:2) Are you are rejoicing Christian? Before you answer, please allow me to explain what I mean.

This Greek verb translated rejoice in this verse of the Bible means more than happiness. In the Letter to the Romans, the Apostle used it before in Romans 3:27. You may not have recognized it as the same word there, in some English translations. For some translations translate the same word there as “boasting.” Nevertheless, the same word translated boasting in Romans 3:27 occurs again here in Romans 5:2. In chapter 3 we were told not to boast in our own abilities, but now in chapter 5 we are told to boast in God’s abilities. We are talking about something far more profound than happiness, which comes and goes. Rather, we are talking about the object of our ultimate trust in life and death.

Many people today talk about having self-confidence. Conversations today are filled with phrases like, “you got this,” or “whatever you put your mind to, you can do.” Do you know what is better than having self-confidence? God-confidence! Having confidence in God’s limitless abilities gives you more strength for the day than any confidence you might place in your own limited abilities. Do you know he holds your life, body and soul, in his fully capable hands? Do you know he bought you at the highest price, the precious blood spilt to purchase you from your sin?

Your boast (or object of your rejoicing) sings your life song. It is what gets you up out of bed and going out to meet the day. It is the rally cry of your life. It is what the team does when it gets in a huddle before the big game to remind themselves of who they are and what they have come to do.

Make what God has promised you your life’s rally cry. A rejoicing Christian boasts not in their own abilities but what they know God is already doing in and through them, on both the sunny and dreary days. So, are you a rejoicing Christian? Are you one who boasts, not in yourself, but in what God is doing in you through Christ in you?