Romans 5:1-5, Philippians 3:12-14 (James 1:12)
Justification by faith makes us followers of Christ. Being a follower of Christ means that we are aligned to who he is and all he stands for. This is counter-culture to the ways of the world and more often than not will land us in trouble with the ways of the world.
Adversity visits the people of God variously through corruption within the moral fabric of society. A righteous person who will not follow the ways of the world will no doubt be persecuted. He/she will face much adversity. How does one stay on the straight and narrow path while facing difficulties and for a long time? While that is not easy, we are called to be those who 'rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations' (Romans 5:2-3).
A classic example of a righteous man who persevered and endured in adversity is Job. He lost his children, wealth and social status all in a day. As if that was not enough, he had to contend with his wife who insisted that he should curse God and die. On the other hand, he had friends who became more of detractors than helpers. They constantly charged him with wrongdoing in the belief that an innocent person could not suffer for no reason. Job held on to his faith in God and addressed the adversity directly to God. At the end of it all he had a testimony. “I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted. (....) My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you” (Job 42:2, 5).
What would cause a man so afflicted by adversity to have such a testimony at the end of his trials?
I. Tribulation produces perseverance, that is, the quality of continuing to try to achieve a particular aim despite difficulties. It is said that the same hot water that can make a potato soft makes an egg hard. Hardships in life can break one completely when one is given to handling the hardship in his/her own strength and ability. However, hardships can also build perseverance when one looks to God for help and guidance. Where one positions the self vis-a-vis the presence of God can determine whether or not one will be able to withstand the heat of adversity.
ii. Perseverance produces character, that is, strong personal qualities such as the ability to deal with difficult or dangerous situations. When God is at the centre of your life, you develop the ability to deal with adversity. God helps you remain strong in faith and hope and hence cannot be shaken regardless of what is happening. The two houses in Matthew 7:24-27 faced the same manner of adversity. Only one had the character, ability to persevere through the raging storm. Jesus used this analogy to indicate that anyone who does his word would be like the house that withstood the flood. This is because such a person has placed God in the centre of his life.
iii. Character produces hope, that is, reliance, dependence, confidence and trust. This hope does not disappoint because of the love of God that has been poured into our hearts in an immeasurable way by the Holy Spirit of God given to us. As we sing, 'My hope is built on nothing else, than Jesus blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus name. On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand..' For as long we hope and trust is in Christ, it doesn't matter how much adversity we go through. We remain encouraged to face adversity because we carry the one who calms the storms of life.
When darkness veils His lovely face,
I rest on His unchanging grace;
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.