My family and I attended a conference for “Regular” Baptists. Strange name, I admit. But the teaching and fellowship were a taste of heaven for me! Since then, I’ve begun a new project as part of my daily devotion time. Pastor Mike Bullmore spoke on looking for gospel connections to the different instructions, commands, and teachings in the Bible in order to change our attitudes, thinking, and actions. Maybe I’ll explain his premise in another post. But today’s passage that I looked at left me with a feeling of amazement and deep appreciation for God’s work. Let me share it with you.
Romans 4 showcases Abraham who “believed God, and it was credited to him for righteousness” (v. 3 CSB). The verses around this explain: “If Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about — but not before God. . . To the one who does not work, but believes on him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited for righteousness.”
When we want to “work” for a good standing before God, it’s no longer salvation by faith. No one can improve his standing before God by “proving his worth,” “having something to show for himself,” or “pulling his own weight.” God, in His wisdom and grace, provided salvation for us to be accepted by faith alone. His finished work (through Jesus) is sufficient. My part is to receive His offer in faith, believing that this is true and sufficient. That is so humbling! My pride says, “I want to add something to this. I want to earn the right.” But we have nothing to offer.
The icing on the cake is in verses 7-8, which is a quote from Psalms 32. “Blessed (or happy) are those whose lawless acts are forgiven and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the person the Lord will never charge with sin.” WOW! This is a true source of happiness and hope! What a promise. If the LORD will never hold my sin against me, no human (including myself) has the right to do that. I am accountable to God alone. Yes, there will be earthly fallout and consequences for my actions, but all my sins are forgiven . . . based on Him, not me.
How can we not rejoice in this wonderful news! How freeing this is to me. My sin — all of it — has been paid for. All my sins in the past, the sins I will commit today, and my sins in coming days — every one is paid for by the precious, perfect blood of Jesus Christ.
My heart was moved today after considering these truths and how it impacts my life. But I also realized how little I consider this on a daily basis. When I don’t remind myself of what God has done for me, salvation seems rather humdrum, something I’ve heard over and over. Sure, I’m thankful for my forgiveness, but I take it for granted. This attitude causes me to lose the urgency to share it with those who haven’t experienced this life-altering transaction.
Thank You, Lord, for Your perfect provision to address my need for a relationship with You. Thank You for sending Your own Son to a horrible death for my sake, to pay for all my sins and their penalty. I am unworthy, ungodly, and often ungrateful. May my deep appreciation for what You’ve done for me motivate me to share this good news with others today. Give me opportunities to remind someone else about this free gift You offer everyone. Amen.