November 30, 2018: SOAP #3284:  Romans 1-4

Scripture:  Romans (NIV) 4:4 Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation. 5 However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness. 6 David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works: 7 “Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. 8 Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him.”

Observation:  There are things that I could make for myself.  Those things would be quite evident that I made them.  They would show my limitations.  If I made myself a car, it would be obvious to everyone who saw it. It would not be trustworthy, that is if it would even run.  Ha!   On the other hand, if Chevrolet gave me a car … that car would be totally different.  It would have the look of being professionally made by people with skill.  It would be trustworthy to run at high speeds on the roadways of our country.
–If I am going to earn the best righteousness I can afford, it will be quite lacking to meet my need.  Most of my righteousness would consist of good intentions, but there would be selfish streaks running throughout.
–On the other hand, if God credits righteousness to me, then it will be righteousness with perfect intention at its heart, and perfect performance.
–With my righteousness, I will not have much peace of mind; I will always be worrying if it will suffice for entrance into heaven.  With God’s righteousness, I have peace of mind.  There is no need to worry about whether it will meet His requirements!

Application:  God’s righteous is mine by faith.  I believe that the sacrifice of Jesus covers my sins, and I confess my sins to Him and by faith receive His forgiveness.  I have what I could never earn!

Prayer:   Thank you, Jesus, for perfectly fulfilling the requirements for my salvation.  You have given me what I could never earn!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!