Bible Reading: Genesis 33; Esther 9 & 10; Mark 4; Romans 4
Romans 4:3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
The scripture is sufficient! We have all that we need in God's Word! The apostle here is proving that we are justified by grace alone through faith alone. He takes us to the life of Abraham and points out:
Romans 4:2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.
The Bible is Paul's source book for doctrine. He is helping us to understand that God worked in the life of Abraham in a way that he will work in our lives if we will believe him like Abraham did! God made Abraham a promise. Abraham believed that promise and God counted Abraham's faith for righteousness. Think of what this means. Abraham did not have a righteousness of his own, but righteousness was imputed to him. God GAVE Abraham righteousness.
Paul realized this in his own life. Listen to his confession:
Philippians 3:4-6 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: 5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; 6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
Paul had tried to ATTAIN righteousness through religious observance of the Law of Moses. However, when he realized who Christ was this is what he said:
Philippians 3:7-9 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.
Paul counted all his religious observance to be loss for the sake of having a relationship with Jesus Christ. He realized his own righteousness was not enough. He discovered a righteousness that comes by faith in Jesus Christ. Paul discovered this when he met Jesus Christ and then he went back to the scripture he knew so well and saw that it was there all along. Abraham did not work for his righteousness. He believed God and was counted righteous. What about you? Are you trying real hard to produce righteousness by keeping some sort of law? Do you know Jesus? Has he transformed your life by the realization that on your best day your righteousness is like a filthy rag before the Lord? Are you believing God and receiving a righteousness that is by faith?
What saith the scripture?
In Christ,
Rody
