A Special Metal of Achievement – Romans 4:9-12
Is this blessedness only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? We have been saying that Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness. Under what circumstances was it credited? Was it after he was circumcised, or before? It was not after, but before! And he received circumcision as a sign, a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. So then, he is the father of all who believe…
Covered by God – Romans 4:6-8
David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the one to whom God credits righteousness apart from works: “Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord will never count against them.” A covering over the bad things one has done is a pretty amazing thing. This makes me think of the great imagery of protection in Psalm 91:1-4: “Whoever dwells in the…
The Continuous Feast of Praise – Hebrews 13:15-16
Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the FRUIT of lips that openly profess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such SACRIFICES God is pleased. For some of us, we have just had one of the most satisfying feasts of the year — The Thanksgiving Feast. For others (where family time can be painful), while the food was good, it may be…
By Faith – Romans 4:1-5
What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, discovered in this matter? If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God. What does Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. However, to the one who does not work but trusts God…
We Are the Aliens Among Us – Romans 3:27-31
Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. Because of what law? The law that requires works? No, because of the law that requires faith. For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law. Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too, since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised…
Anointed and Sent Into Spiritual Riches Untold – Isaiah 61:1-3
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them…
Unpunished – Romans 3:25-26
God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. What is so wonderful about this passage is that God lets the sins…
Calling Out the Judgers – Romans 3:22-24 (emphasis mine)
This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are JUSTIFIED FREELY BY HIS GRACE through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. I have lived much of my life feeling as if I was under judgment — judgment at home, judgment at work, judgment with friends and foes alike. This…
A Glimmer of Hope – Romans 3:19-21
Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin. But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and…