FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11
Scripture: Romans 5:3-8

In Romans 5:3-8 we are told, “And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5 describes our growth process once we accept remission of sin. God walks us through a developmental pattern which includes tribulation from the enemy. This is a character building process which includes overcoming. As as the enemy hammers us with tribulation that produces something of value in eternity. The Word says that tribulation produces perseverance and perseverance produces character and character produces hope which does not disappoint. It does not disappoint because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit Who is given to us. God died for the ungodly and we accepted that and embraced it. We said yes to remission and as a result God demonstrates His love toward us in our growth process. This growth results in various manifestations of God’s love that have our name on it. These are gifts, they are freedoms, they are deliverances as well as blessings, but they develop slowly through a process of growth. As we walk worthy, our faith grows in the promises of God. If we will walk the process of accepting our full forgiveness, remission and axios, we will grow in our understanding of our worth and develop the needed confidence. It is possible to develop to the place of freedom from blame, shame and guilt as we walk on that path. This will help us to shake off bondage to past harmful patterns that have been a snare. These past patterns can be broken and we can walk in freedom before the Most High! It is a process and it does not happen suddenly. It takes time. Maturity to stand victorious before God is a lifetime pursuit! May we walk it with God’s grace!