Benefit #4 - Suffering

Suffering? How is this a benefit of salvation? One is sure to ask this question. Look at the next part of Scripture:

"And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope." (Romans 5:3-4)

Paul shows us a very interesting progression and an equally interesting and enlightening link between tribulations (or trials, suffering, etc.) and molding ourselves into becoming more like Christ. Paul states that we glory in tribulations. Are you going though some hard times? God may be giving you these trials for a reason. What reason could that be? Trials bring perseverance. What kind of perseverance? It is my experience that when I am undergoing some type of suffering, I turn to God more readily and frequently then I would if I felt self-sufficient. But when things go wrong, eventually we realize that we have only one way to turn and that is to God. Thus, suffering leads to perseverance in turning to God frequently, especially in our hour of greatest need.

And through perseverance, our continual relying on God for our needs, character is produced. For sure, the more time that we spend in prayer and the more we are studying the Word of God, and the more we let God convict our hearts, the more our character will turn into what God desires, which incidentally, means death to pride and rise to humility.

And when we are truly humble, (which is an oxymoron since that will never happen - rather when we are humbled) we will realize that we are nothing without God and will realize that we are all sinners saved by grace and upon repenting of our sins and placing our faith in Christ we will have hope.