Romans 4:2-3

In the blink of an eye, Abraham was declared righteous! It wasn't from a lifetime of hard work and achievements. It wasn't from following a 10-step-plan for justification. It wasn't from anything he DID. In fact, it is the opposite. Salvation comes in the moment of surrender when we give up control and surrender in obedience to follow Christ. Abraham's belief/trust/surrender was not a work to boast about, but rather it was receiving the gift from God. Only by God, through God, from God do we receive the declaration of righteousness. He is the just and the justifier. (see Rom. 3:26). It is all because of Him--not our works!

PASSAGE: Romans 4:2-3 - "For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.”

PAUSE: If getting saved is something we could earn through our good works, we would have something to boast about before God! But like Abraham, we are justified (declared not guilty) based on our faith and not our good works.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, forgive me for ever trying to show you my resume of good works, thinking that it would earn me a right standing before you. Thank you for your saving grace!