Written by Pastor Jack Wellman– Romans 15:13
Hope for Sinners
In the 15th chapter of the Book of Romans, Paul is writing about the hope that is found only in Christ and writes that “the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy” (Rom 15:9) since “The root of Jesse will come, even he who arises to rule the Gentiles; in him will the Gentiles hope” (Rom 15:12) and so the Apostle Paul’s prayer is “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope” (Rom 15:13) so every non-Jew has the hope of Christ.
Joy for the Saints
When Jesus was about to go to the cross to die for our sins, He knew that the disciples were troubled about His leaving them and so He reassured them that “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full” (John 15:11). When your joy is full, it is obvious, but if we have no joy, then whose fault is that? God’s? No, it is our own fault for not trusting in God Who promised a joy that will never depart. Jesus promised that “no one will take your joy from you” (John 16:22).
Peace for the Saved
No one can have the peace of God until they have first made peace with God, but how do we do that? Paul wrote that “since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom 5:1) but “we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God” (Rom 5:2). This should fill us with hope because through Jesus Christ we’ve been redeemed.
Conclusion
For everyone who has repented and trusted in Christ, we have the hope of God, we have the joy of the saints, and we have the peace of the saved because of what Jesus did on the cross. None of us deserved the free gift of grace, but because God is so good, He grants us eternal life through Jesus’ work at Calvary so we can have hope, joy, and peace because we trust in God.
