Every question in life can be answered by asking the question, "What does the Scripture say?" For the Jew, the truth that Paul had been sharing was a tough pill to swallow. They knew the story of Abraham but as Paul points out, they missed the simple truth of it. "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness."
In today's passage, Paul is citing back to an Old Testament scripture in Genesis to supports his message of grace. "Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness." ( Genesis 15:6 ). It cannot get any clearer that this. The Jews had missed the simple truth of the scriptures and exchanged them for the burden of the Law.
This passage introduces us to two very important truths. First that scripture is our guide. Every question in life can be answered by it. Paul said in II Timothy 3:16-17, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." So the Word is the roadmap to navigating through this life. When we understand this, it will save us from a lot of bad choices in life and equip us for the road ahead.
The second important truth that we can learn from the example of Abraham, is that he believed what God told him. It goes along with the first truth of letting scripture dictate your life. Although Abraham did not have the written word of God as we do, he had the spoken word of God in the form of a promise. That promise was what he put his hope into and believed. He used that word as a guide to direct his life and change the course of the future.
Believing in the promises of God is a major theme in the Bible. Just as Abraham believed God and it was credited to him a righteousness, the same is true with us, when we believe God, our faith is also reckoned unto us as righteousness. But these promises to do not stop with believing him for salvation alone. The bible is full of sweet and precious promises. By believing in these promises, our faith is what unlocks them and brings them about. Just like when Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness, our faith pleases the Lord.
Whatever you face today, remember that you can use scripture as your guide to navigate life. What you read in there, is what you are. What it says in there, is what will be. Take the example of the faith of Abraham and believe God no matter what. Today you will be blessed by doing so.
