Day 226.
Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work but believes int him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, (Romans 4:4, 5 ESV)
Chapter 4 of Romans transitions us from seeing everyone alike as sinful and deserving of death to finding that righteousness then comes only by faith. Abraham is offered as the prime example. Abraham was credited as righteous for believing God rather than be his works. Paul interestingly shows us that this credit was applied to Abraham before he was circumcised and not after, to show that this grace is for the uncircumcised as well as the circumcised. That was an extremely important point Paul made to the Jews of his time who sought to limit God’s promises to those who were circumcised.
What do you think about this? Is there something you must first do (like be circumcised) in order for God’s grace to come to you? If there is, what does that say about faith’s role in your salvation?
McCheyne’s Bible Reading Plan: 1 Sa 4, Ro 4, Jer 42, Lk 11
