Sold Out For Jesus daily devotion online
G. John White's first devotional Sold out for Jesus covers 12 vital themes of Christianity.
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October Topic: Grace |
As it is not until we have a deep appreciation of what GRACE is and means, that we really come into the full liberty in Christ that we have been purchased to experience, let's take this month to explore some of its depths and treasures. |
Romans 4:4
TO THE MAN WHO DOES NOT WORK, BUT TRUSTS GOD WHO JUSTIFIES THE WICKED, HIS FAITH IS CREDITED AS RIGHTEOUSNESS
Now, before you go rushing off to hand in your notice to quit working for the rest of your life, let's just look at the context!
Paul is referring to Abraham. Abraham is the father of the faithful. Paul goes on to make a very important point. Abraham's righteousness was "accredited" to him prior to the time he was circumcised. Accredited just means that he was "called," or "seen as," or "accepted" as righteous.
Now this is very important point. We read about it in Genesis 15:6.
Abram left Ur; he went into Egypt; he and Lot separated; he rescued Lot from the four kings and had just met Melchizedek, when he has this vision from God who tells him that his offspring will be as numerous as the stars in the sky.
BUT it is before the episode with Hagar, which produced Ishmael; before the Covenant of circumcision even before his name was changed to Abraham and before the birth of Isaac and the testing at Moriah. This is still in the very early days of his 'Christian' walk. He was credited with righteousness - JUST BECAUSE HE BELIEVED WHAT GOD HAD SAID.
True, it wasn't just a passive belief. It was an active one, but nevertheless it was still faith and that, and that alone, was the reason God credited it to him as righteousness.
This is very important, because firstly it shows that, those who are Gentiles - most of us - do not need to be circumcised to be made righteous! Secondly, even though Abraham had been, and remained "credited" with righteousness, he still blew it from time to time - which DID NOT change his status before God.
We do it too and God will forgive us just as He did Abraham. It doesn't make us perfect! BUT it does enable us to come into the very presence of God in humility of heart. All of Abraham's works did not gain him righteousness, nor any more righteousness! He was accepted on faith and faith alone.
That is exactly how God accepts us too!
So here we find it again. Though we are sinful - if we stop striving to earn our salvation and instead accept and believe in Christ's sacrifice for us - it will be credited to US also - as righteousness!
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