Righteousness Comes Through Faith

"It was not through law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith."

Romans 4:13 (NIV1984)

I know I am not alone in having times throughout my life when my faith in Jesus Christ and the truthfulness of his word has wavered. In those times of doubting and struggling to maintain my faith, I would ask myself questions like, "Am I really doing all that I can to be saved?" and "How can I really be sure that my faith in Jesus Christ alone is enough?" During those times, it's scriptures like today's passage (Rom. 4:6-13) that encourage me and bring my flickering flame of faith back to a roaring fire!

One of Paul's favorite examples of faith and righteousness, that he uses multiple times in his letters, is Abraham. He tells us that God counted Abraham as righteous because of his faith in him, not because of anything that he accomplished on his own. He also tells us that Abraham did not receive the sign of circumcision because of his faithfulness to the law or any other good deeds that he might have done. He received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he already had received because of his faith in God.

Paul's example of Abraham shows me that, just as Abraham was made righteous before God because of his faith, I can be made righteous before God because of my faith in Jesus Christ. And, because of my faith in God and the righteousness that he bestows on me because of that, I also receive a sign and seal that proves my status before God; that sign and seal is the gift of the Holy Spirit living in me.

If you are struggling today with assurance of your place before God, look to this scripture for encouragement and know that it is by faith that you are saved and made righteous before God! 

Prayer:

Lord in Heaven! Thank you for giving us a clear pathway to you through your Son Jesus Christ. Thank you that there is nothing that I can do that will earn me salvation and that all you require of me is faith in your Son. Thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit, who marks me as one who is righteous before you. When my faith in this truth waivers, please draw me back to your word so that I can be reminded of who I am in you! In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen!