ESOCS Devotional 28 May 2024 – Righteousness By Faith
MEMORY VERSE: “What does the scripture say? Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” Romans 4:3 NIV
TEXT: ROMANS 4: 1-12
What then shall we say that Abraham our father has found according to the flesh? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” 4 Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt.
5 But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness, 6 just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works:
7 “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven,
And whose sins are covered;
8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord shall not impute sin.”
9 Does this blessedness then come upon the circumcised only, or upon the uncircumcised also? For we say that faith was accounted to Abraham for righteousness. 10 How then was it accounted? While he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? Not while circumcised, but while uncircumcised. 11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while still uncircumcised, that he might be the father of all those who believe, though they are uncircumcised, that righteousness might be imputed to them also, 12 and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of the faith which our father Abraham had while still uncircumcised.
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The scripture in Hebrews 10:38 declares that the just shall live by faith. More so, in Romans 4:3, it is reported that our father Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Therefore, Saint Paul hereby proceeds to affirm that Abraham was not justified by his meritorious obedience to God’s law. He was rather justified by works of faith, and not by his excellent performance of good deeds or good works (See also James 2:21-24). Apostles James and Paul both teach that Abraham was not justified by works of merit with regards to the law.
Contrary to the position of those Jews who boasted in their own performance of law, Abraham, on his part, trusted in God. Yes, in Genesis 15:6, we have a confirmation that Abraham was accredited with righteousness just because he believed and trusted in God through faith response (See also Galatians 3:6).
In the New Testament, those who believe in the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus on the cross shall be justified. This means that through the blood of Jesus Christ shed at Calvary, one is considered righteous in God’s eyes. This will be on the basis of one’s faith in God’s grace to forgive sins. In other words, one can only be accounted righteous or justified on the basis of obedient faith in the gospel and atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ (John 1:12, 3:18).
Our righteousness follows God’s justification (John 3:4). When God justifies, He declares believers in Christ to be righteous in His sight. This will be in spite of their sinfulness. Christ’s death on the cross pays the penalty for sin. Then God credits Christ’s life of perfect obedience to believers. Finally, He accepts us as if we had never sinned.
Being therefore justified by faith, we have peace with God, through Jesus Christ. Then we can rest assured that all the blessings promised to Abraham our father, shall be ours. These will include both material and spiritual blessings, even the heritage of eternal life. Therefore, child of God, believe in God. Also believe in the atoning sacrifice of His Son. Believe absolutely and waver not.
- Righteousness by the law or righteousness by obedient faith, which do you endorse?
- Lord Jesus, help my unbelief.
Further Reading: Exodus 14:5-20; 2 Kings 6:4-7:2; Mark 7:1-13.
ESOCS Devotional 28 May 2024
