Verse of the Day 11/7
Romans 4:5 New International Version
5 However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness.
Bible Study Fellowship is currently going through the book of Romans and I'm also leading my men's Bible study through it at the same time. Being 68 years old, I realize that this may be the last time that I go through the book in a study in such detail (30 weeks). I've spent more time over the years in Romans than any other book in the Bible and am really looking forward to it and treasuring it.
When we hear the word "righteous", many may think of "holier than thou" attitudes but that is far from the truth. Basically, it means to be in right standing with God. It is nothing that we can do on our own. As today's verse indicates, it can only happen when we place our faith and trust in Christ and receive His grace and forgiveness and the power to overcome sin and live for Him.
I love the way J. Gresham Machen addresses it:
Justification by faith is an answer to the greatest personal question ever asked by a human soul: ‘How shall I be right with God? How do I stand in God’s sight? With what favor does he look upon me?’ There are those, I admit, who never raise that question. There are those who are concerned with the question of their standing before men but never with the question of their standing before God. There are those who are interested in what ‘people say’ but not in the question of what God says. Such men, however, are not those who move the world. They are apt to go with the current. They are apt to do as others do. They are not the heroes who change the destinies of the race. The beginning of true nobility comes when a man ceases to be interested in the judgment of men and becomes interested in the judgment of God.” J. Gresham Machen, in God Transcendent (Edinburgh, 1982), pages 89-90.
Reading this brings me back through those in our lives and through the ages who have lived by faith and looked forward to the day of Christ's return. Come Lord Jesus Come!
There's a peace that outlasts darkness
Hope that's in the blood
There's future grace that's mine today
That Jesus Christ has won
So I can face tomorrow
For tomorrow's in Your hands
All I need You will provide
Just like You always have
I'm fighting a battle
You've already won
No matter what comes my way
I will overcome
I don't know what You're doing
But I know what You've done
I'm fighting a battle
You've already won (Shane and Shane - You've Already Won)
Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace. NIV
Romans 4:1-8 New International Version
Abraham Justified by Faith
4 What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, discovered in this matter? 2 If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God. 3 What does Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”
4 Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. 5 However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness. 6 David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the one to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:
7 “Blessed are those
whose transgressions are forgiven,
whose sins are covered.
8 Blessed is the one
whose sin the Lord will never count against them.”
