Perseverance in trials proves Jesus lives in you.

Romans 5:4 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; Today we take encouragement from this verse to live to love with Jesus because we often face relationships and circumstances that test the character of our faith. Every situation is an opportunity to trust and every relationship is an opportunity to love. The character of our faith is tested in tribulation, and when we persevere in the trial it proves that the faith we have is a divine work of grace in our hearts. All of us have people in our lives who test the source, quality, and endurance of our love. As we sustain the direction of our wills to love—perservance and endurance—regardless of what we face, we prove that our character comes from the life of Christ dwelling in us. That perseverance comes from our abiding in Jesus. That’s when His character shines and is proven. Paul wrote that when our character is tested in tribulation and we don’t give up, but endure, it produces hope in our hearts. What is the hope? It is the hope of the glory of God. We know God will receive the glory. He justified us. He gave us faith as the assurance of His favor. He sent, allowed, or administrated trials for the character of that faith to be proven so we could have hope in our hearts. Today, it is probable that our faith will be tested in some way. If you have purposed to live to love with Jesus, you’ll experience Romans 5:3-4. Exult in your tribulations, abide in Christ, and watch Him love through you as you humble yourself, submit to God’s sanctifying agenda, and persevere for the glory of God. Acknowledgment: Music from “Carried by the Father” by Eric Terlizzi. www.ericterlizzi.com