1. The redeemed have been justified from all their sins by the faith of Christ, that is, His obedience.--2. They have peace with God and that means they are reconciled to Him from the condemnation of their sin.--3. But in the light of that justification, Paul says, there are trials-sufferings-tribulations to be had.--4. And tribulations translate the GREEK WORD thlipsis, which means a pressing together, a putting of pressure and creating a confined space.--5. So, tribulations are a pressing together of the redeemed by God.--6. And they are purposeful. They are well intentioned. God means by this squeezing to build certain qualities that are useful to Him in the redeemed.--7. Tribulations set off a chain reaction of qualities- Perseverance -patience-, which builds character and character and hope and the hope does not disappoint.--8. The hope is ultimately Christ Jesus, the hope of God's glory for all who belong to Christ. --9. And this is free