Romans 5:1-5 : Being therefore justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ; through whom also we have had our access by faith into this grace wherein we stand; and we rejoice in our tribulations: knowing that tribulation worketh steadfastness; and steadfastness, approvedness; and approvedness, hope: and hope putteth not to shame; because the love of God hath been shed abroad in our hearts through the Holy Spirit which was given unto us. In this chapter Paul sets forth the blessings of gospel righteousness, or justification. Those who are justified by faith have peace with God. All rebellion having been put out of our hearts, we are fully sub-missive to God and as all sins have been forgiven, God holds nothing against us. We are at peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. It is through Christ that we have had access by faith into his grace, or fa-vor, wherein we stand. Not only are we now at peace with God and stand in his favor, but we rejoice in the glory yet to come. On account of our exalted state we even rejoice in the tribulations which we suffer as Christians; for we know that tribulations endured work steadfastness of character. God approves stead-fastness, and that gives us hope and hope toward God does not put to shame, or disappoint us. The love of God here mentioned is the love that God has for us. The Holy Spirit, by revelation, by miracles, and by spiritual gifts, filled their hearts with the knowledge of God's love. These are some of the blessings that come to the children of God. Some of the blessings of gospel justification were considered in the preceding paragraphs, among which was hope. "And hope putteth not to shame because the love of God bath been shed abroad in our hearts through the Holy Spirit which was given unto us" (Romans 5:5). This fact is assigned as a reason as to why this hope will not put to shame, or be disappointing. God has promised great things for the faithful Christian, and has given him the Holy Spirit as a pledge that every promise will be fulfilled. "Now he that establisheth us with you in Christ, and anointed us, is God who also sealed us, and gave us the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts" (2 Corinthians 1:21-22). "Now he that wrought us for this very thing is God, who gave unto us the earnest of the Spirit" (2 Corinthians 5:5). Webster defines earnest: "Something of value given by a buyer to a seller to bind a bargain."