Romans 5:1-5 English Standard Version (ESV)

¹ Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. ² Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. ³ Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, ⁴ and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, ⁵ and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

If our only objective in this life of faith is to be justified and find peace with God we will not experience a life with Christ. All relationships must experience life together to remain healthy and grow closer. Stepping out in faith with Christ means we will encounter the same oppositions that Christ endured. If we do not endure these sufferings then we will not develop the character within ourselves which marks our growth, and maturity in Christ.

This hope spoken of in verses 4 and 5 is directly related to the promises of God to each of us that have placed our faith in Christ and made Him the Lord of our lives. One of those promises is conformance into the image of Jesus Christ. Images are meant to be seen, not worshipped.

Romans 8:29-30 English Standard Version (ESV)

²⁹ For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. ³⁰ And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

Being glorified means being seen in the image of Christ, to be Christ like in the truest sense.

1 Corinthians 2:16 English Standard Version (ESV) “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

Colossians 2:18-19 English Standard Version (ESV)

¹⁸ Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind, ¹⁹ and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God.

Christ is the head of the church, the body of Christ. We are to take directions from the head in order to grow and move in accordance with His will. This requires us to receive and understand the commands of our Lord. Paul tells us we have the mind of Christ which means He is available to communicate with us.

1 Corinthians 14:30-32 English Standard Version (ESV)

³⁰ If a revelation is made to another sitting there, let the first be silent. ³¹ For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged, ³² and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets.

Paul tells us we all have a gift of prophesy which is misunderstood in the modern church. We read and think of prophesy in terms of the Old Testament prophets which is the office of a prophet. The office no longer exist. We all prophesy, some better than others. The reason is that prophesy is nothing more than the revealed mind of Christ and we all have access to Him.

To learn and be encouraged in this hearing the mind of Christ is the work of the Holy Spirit. We may come to hear by faith slowly at first. We might not be aware of this hearing by faith for a time but as we keep up with our bible studies we begin to understand. Group studies are especially helpful as we confirm yes and amen, you are hearing rightly. Notice in line 30 the words let the first be silent. How does one know they are first to hear that revelation? By experience with the Holy Spirit.