JC Blog

Why was Paul so careful making sure he mentioned that the result of Abrahams faith extended to us? The Scriptures say that, "Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness." ( Genesis 15:6 ). Paul is noting that the same credit of righteousness is extended to everyone who firmly relies in Jesus as Lord.

Abraham's faith was a conduit of the righteousness that God bestowed upon him, but his faith rested in the promise. The promise extends to us because the promise referred to the Messiah. Abraham saw a glimpse of this and knew that the Salvation of the world would come through his heir. Fortunate for us, God extends this hope of salvation to everyone who believes in Jesus. Romans 2:11 says, that God is no respecter of persons (KVJ). This is a great thing because it doesn't rely on who we are or what we do, it only relies on the person and the grace of Jesus.

There is a caveat however. To have righteousness credited unto your account you have to believe that God raised Jesus from the dead. To the natural man, this is utterly ridiculous and hard to understand. On the other hand, many people confess this, but their confession is merely words. The Amplified Bible explains what truly believing is... to believe you must firmly rely on, trust in and adhere to what you confess. We can take lesson from Abraham because he was fully persuaded in the promise and because of that any doubt that remain was overpowered by his faith. To have God's righteousness credited to us, we have to be fully persuaded that He raised Jesus from the dead, and we have to believe this by faith.

Today, I praise God that we have Abraham as a powerful example of faith. I praise God that the blessing he received extends to us. I am so thankful to have obtained this righteousness apart from the Law, which is by faith. The same faith working in all who believe in Jesus. What a marvelous thing!

In American, July 4th marks a special day. This is the day when we celebrate our Independence. This day marked the beginning of a new life, new hope and new direction for our country so many years ago. Independence Day is an important day to remember and celebrate because it changed the course of our countries history.

In the same way, what Christ did for us in reconciling us unto God, changed the course of history for mankind. But this revolution only comes to those who accept and believe it. How then does that happen?

Do you see that faith is the deciding factor in how one is reconciled to God? The promise came to Abraham before he was circumcised so that the promise could be offered to everyone who believed. The promise foretold that all nations would be blessed by Abraham, "I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you." ( Genesis 12:3 ). The Scriptures foretold that God would justify the Gentiles by faith ( Galatians 3:8-9 ). So it only is reasonable that the Jews, or those of the circumcision should have the same faith as the Gentiles in order to be justified.

Paul clarifies this in later on the book of Romans, when he explains who the true child of Abraham are. "It is not as though God's word had failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel. Nor because they are his descendants are they all Abraham's children. On the contrary, "It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned." In other words, it is not the natural children who are God's children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham's offspring." ( Romans 9:6-7 ) So the true descendants of the promise are heirs by faith alone, not by law or by natural descent.

This is important to understand because association, heritage or bloodline does not make you righteous before God. The only thing required of you is faith. "Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness." ( Genesis 15:6 ). In the same way, when we believe upon, trust in and rely solely upon what Jesus did for us in fulfillment of the promise, then we obtain the like, precious faith of Abraham.

Know that you are not saved because your parents are Christians. You are not saved because you belong to a church. You are not saved by anything you do. You are saved by faith in the promise of God's grace alone. When you put your entire hope in Him, and trust in him as your Savior, then you are heir of the promise that was given to Abraham. He is your father in the sight of God, and you are fully justified by Jesus. This experience is truly an Independence Day, and one to put into remembrance always!