Romans

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. Romans 5:1-5

I have started reading in Romans allot lately and I really like it. It talks about being justified through faith not works.
So we have gained access into his grace by faith. Have we? Can we gain something by faith or is it just a gift? I don't think we can gain anything from God. We can't make it so that God owes us something. But there are requirements. I think that His grace means heaven in this passage, and Gods love. So we stand in Gods love, and we stand in Gods book only by faith. Now we trust God but we still don't deserve to go to heaven. God grants us heaven. I'm not sure if grants was the right word so I will say gives us heaven or allows us to go into heaven, and we don't deserve it.

Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.

Definitions: perseverance-continuance in a state of grace to the end, leading to eternal salvation.

character-the aggregate of features and traits that form the individual nature of some person or thing

hope-the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best

That was the translation for perseverance, that's funny. That is what this passage was just talking about. Persevering to a eternal salvation in heaven with God. How does perseverance give character. perseverance builds more perseverance which builds a good work ethic, which builds diligence. All that is good character. So you get closer to God not by works. But remember what we are working toward is God. So you get closer to God and you know he is there and you see him working and you have more hope. I like Romans.