Romans 4:1-5
What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather, discovered in this matter? If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God. What does the scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation. However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness.
Devotion
Paul has clearly stated that man is a sinner. Then he reveals that God provides a righteousness for sinners, and justification by faith has been explained. Now he illustrates his point by using two examples from the Old Testament. In Paul’s day, Abraham and David were probably held in higher esteem by the nation Israel than any other two in the Old Testament. Abraham was the founder of the Hebrew race, and David was their greatest king. Paul uses these two patriarchs as illustrations to establish his doctrine of justification by faith. Paul will make the case that even under the Law and before the Law, faith was God’s sole requirement. Abraham, before the Law, was justified by faith. Paul is not presenting some strange new doctrine which cancels out the Old Testament and the Law of Moses. In verse three, Paul quotes Genesis 15:6, “And he believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” When Abraham believed (trusted) God, he did the one thing that a man can do without doing anything. God made the promise, and God would fulfill it. Abraham believed in his heart that God told the truth. There was no effort here. Abraham’s faith was not an act, but an attitude. His heart was turned completely away from himself to God and His promise. He simply believed God would accomplish what He had promised.
Questions to Ponder:
Do you take God at His word? Are you able to trust God in all things and leave the results up to Him? Are you a true son/daughter of Abraham?
Prayer Points
- Adore God as transcendent, altogether lovely, majestic, and powerful. Worship Him as the Reveler of Truth that enables You to understand and know Him better through His Son, Jesus Christ.
- Ask the Lord to remind you of a time when you were able to trust Him and how that felt. Ask Him to remind you of a time when you did not trust Him. Ask Him to lead Your heart into the journey of faith. Pray for yourself and our Oak Pointe brothers and sisters to walk in the footsteps of faith by the power of the Holy Spirit within us. Pray we will continue to ask Him for His help and not try to do it in our own strength—cease striving.
- Ask Abba to help you lay on the altar the areas or things in your life that you are not trusting Him with. When you ask, He will empower you to surrender, submit, rest, yield, walk toward, rejoice, thank, commit, etc.
Suggested Prayer
Great I Am, Yahweh, Papa, You are trustworthy. You have proved Yourself over and over and over again. You watch over Your Word to perform it. You are 100% committed to each one of us, Your children. Thank You that Your motives and agenda are good and pleasing. Even when it’s hard, we confess You are good and will make good out of it even when we don’t understand or see it. Incline our ears, Abba, to Your voice, and Your voice we will follow and listen to. Grant us, Your church, power in Your Name. Help us by Your Holy Spirit to turn to You, humble ourselves, look to You, and yield to You walking in step with the Holy Spirit. We love You, Lord. Lead us today into Your truth and love so we may reflect You and Your heart to those around us. Make us a trophy of grace. I ask in the matchless name of Jesus Christ. Amen.