Faith Counted for Righteousness!

July 2, 2023

Abraham, the father of the faithful, certainly had his faults, but one of them was not his faith. He believed God, trusted God, depended on God, and pursued God his entire life. Which made his faults and sins even more pronounced because they were out of character and inconsistent with his overall inclination. He was human, but had a desire to be like God and a desire to be with God. To be in that city whose builder and maker was God and to please, pray to, and worship his creator. Were there inexcusable lapses in behavior covered by grace (Romans 4:5)? There were, but as David said, "Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered." (Romans 4:8) Abraham and David were selected by God not because they were righteous but because they had a desire to listen and learn. Because of this abiding desire God labeled them as righteous and not because of prior good works. Had it been for prior good works, they could never have measured up to God's standard, nor could we. So God made pardon possible and forgiveness the foundation of his plan for Abraham, David, and me (Romans 4:13). Christ came to seek and save the lost which we are without hope, but desiring hope. We are not yet who we hope to become, nor are we what we were. Our response to his gift and goodness toward us is to improve our service to him and each other as faithful. We do not want to be less, but struggle with ourselves while in the flesh to do his bidding as we acknowledge his calling daily. There is no unbelief on our part, we believe in God, and we believe and trust in him. His Word is our salvation. Our need of him is all the more evident to us because of our ineptitude, our sin! We fail and fall short, but trust knowing that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. Believing, not doubting, that now he is willing to do all the more for us as he continued with Abraham and David. He will also continue to discipline, chastise, and correct those he loves. Remembering that, "He who began a good work in you will see it through to completion."

Kenneth E. Morrison