There is just no way around "faithing" it. Trying harder to be a good person is commendable, but without faith it will never work.
"if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? 'ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.'" (Romans 4:2-3)
Trying harder earns no one bragging rights with God. He's not impressed with our efforts, because they amount to nothing more than a pile of stinking, dirty rags (Isaiah 64:6). In God's court, a "not guilty" plea will never cut it; He knows the facts. Best we can do is throw ourselves before the Judge and beg for mercy. And that's where faith steps in; God is rich in mercy through His Son toward those who come in humble faith.
"BLESSED ARE THOSE WHOSE LAWLESS DEEDS HAVE BEEN FORGIVEN, AND WHOSE SINS HAVE BEEN COVERED. BLESSED IS THE MAN WHOSE SIN THE LORD WILL NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT." (Romans 4:7-8; ref.Psalm 32:1-2). Who wouldn't want to stand before God uncondemned? What a tremendous relief to be found "not guilty" by the ultimate court!
"For this reason it is by faith, in order that it may be in accordance with grace, so that the promise will be guaranteed to all the descendants, not only to those who are of the Law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all" (Romans 4:16)
Abraham leaves us a legacy of faith and grace. He believed God for that which he could not see, and God graciously overlooked his sinful faults. Through similar faith, we too are recipients of God's grace. Abraham's faith has made a deposit in the bank of righteousness "for our sake also, to whom it will be credited, as those who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead" (Romans 8:24).
We haven't actually seen the resurrected Christ any more than Abraham saw the promised land in his day, but our faith is the same as Abraham's, and we are assured that one day faith will be sight.
Keep on "faithing" it today. Grace and mercy are there in abundance for us, as we travel on to the unseen kingdom.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2012
"if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? 'ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.'" (Romans 4:2-3)
Trying harder earns no one bragging rights with God. He's not impressed with our efforts, because they amount to nothing more than a pile of stinking, dirty rags (Isaiah 64:6). In God's court, a "not guilty" plea will never cut it; He knows the facts. Best we can do is throw ourselves before the Judge and beg for mercy. And that's where faith steps in; God is rich in mercy through His Son toward those who come in humble faith.
"BLESSED ARE THOSE WHOSE LAWLESS DEEDS HAVE BEEN FORGIVEN, AND WHOSE SINS HAVE BEEN COVERED. BLESSED IS THE MAN WHOSE SIN THE LORD WILL NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT." (Romans 4:7-8; ref.Psalm 32:1-2). Who wouldn't want to stand before God uncondemned? What a tremendous relief to be found "not guilty" by the ultimate court!
"For this reason it is by faith, in order that it may be in accordance with grace, so that the promise will be guaranteed to all the descendants, not only to those who are of the Law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all" (Romans 4:16)
Abraham leaves us a legacy of faith and grace. He believed God for that which he could not see, and God graciously overlooked his sinful faults. Through similar faith, we too are recipients of God's grace. Abraham's faith has made a deposit in the bank of righteousness "for our sake also, to whom it will be credited, as those who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead" (Romans 8:24).
We haven't actually seen the resurrected Christ any more than Abraham saw the promised land in his day, but our faith is the same as Abraham's, and we are assured that one day faith will be sight.
Keep on "faithing" it today. Grace and mercy are there in abundance for us, as we travel on to the unseen kingdom.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2012
posted by steve @ 8:10 AM
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