Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 25, 2025: SOAP #5652: 1Kings 10, 11; 2Chronicles 9; Romans 6

Continuing in Romans 4…

SCRIPTURE: and OBSERVATION:   Romans (NIV) 4:6  David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:

The author has been teaching us from the example of Abraham, and will return in verse 9, but for these next three verses we will consider David.  David was being led by the same Holy Spirit when he wrote about God’s grace in Psalms 32.

How blessed it is to have righteousness credited to our account, especially when it comes from God.

If I am going to depend on the righteousness I can earn, 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.  The performance would be recognizable most of the time, however it would be flawed by times of my mind being full of myself. 

On the other hand, if God credits the righteousness of Jesus to me, then it will be righteousness with perfect intention at its heart, and perfect performance.  There will be no question on judgment day.  Clearly HIS righteousness is sufficient for me!   

With my righteousness, I will always be wondering if it is good enough.  I will not have much peace of mind for 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!   It is better to receive as a gift what I could never earn!

APPLICATION:   Eternity is so important.  There are only two places to spend eternity:  heaven in God’s presence or hell with its torment away from God’s presence.  I must be sure of my eternal destination!  It can be a worrisome process: have I done enough to make sure I am going to the right place? 

What peace calms my troubled thoughts when by faith I receive Christ as my Lord and Savior for then my entrance into heaven will be based on what He has done instead of what I have done!!!  

PRAYER:   Heavenly Father, on the basis of what Jesus has done for me, my sins are forgiven and you have taken me into your family as your child!  Thank you!  Amen

Pastor Leon
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