Friday, October 19, 2007
Romans 4:3-5 "Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness." Now in one who works, his wages are not reckoned as a gift, but as his due. But one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned as righteousness.
THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH (Abraham)
On the basis of Scripture, who do you know to be in heaven for sure? Well, there is Enoch (Gen 5:24), and the repentant thief (Luke 23:42), and certainly Abraham. After all, Jesus Himself, in His parable of The Rich Man and Poor Lazarus pictures Abraham as a welcoming figure in heaven (Luke 16).
And how is Abraham the sinner (Scripture is also clear on this acceptable before God? Already in Genesis 15 we are told that it is by faith: "Abraham believed God and it was reckoned to him as righteousness."
Now, the prevailing thought among Jews of Paul's time was that the "reckoning" of Genesis 15:6 was like a commercial transaction. That is, "so much for so much," as though Abraham's faith earned credits that were then posted to his account with God. Paul says, in effect, that this idea flies in the face of the plain meaning of the word faith.
Trusting in God is the opposite of our working. It is waiting with empty hands upon God's action, His work, on our behalf. When God reckons faith as righteousness, that is a gift of His grace to the undeserving sinner. It is a gift made possible by the substitutionary life and the sacrificial death of His Son, Jesus. It is a gift received through the gift of faith.
Every day is Christmas for the believing child of God -- a day of receiving incredible gifts through God's gift of His own dear Son.
