Credited As Righteousness

“What then shall we say that Abraham, our ancestor according to the flesh, has discovered regarding this matter? For if Abraham was declared righteous by works, he has something to boast about—but not before God. For what does the scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” Now to the one who works, his pay is not credited due to grace but due to obligation. But to the one who does not work, but believes in the one who declares the ungodly righteous, his faith is credited as righteousness.” Romans 4:1-5 NET

The profound beauty of God’s promise to Abraham is truly awe-inspiring! One of the most remarkable aspects is that Abraham did not earn these promises through his actions; instead, he was in a deep trance, as vividly described in Genesis 15:12. During this moment, he became a passive recipient of God’s incredible grace, underscoring the notion that divine promises are not contingent on human merit.

God alone walked through the divided sacrifices in an extraordinary display of love and commitment, a symbolic act demonstrating His unwavering dedication to the covenant. This unilateral action meant that God fully embraced the responsibility of the covenant, promising to fulfill His word and bearing the consequences if anything fell short, utterly independent of Abraham’s actions or failures.

What’s particularly uplifting is that Abraham’s only requirement was to believe—the central theme encapsulated in Genesis 15:6, which states, “Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.” This powerful dynamic encourages us to reflect on the depth of God’s commitment to us, emphasizing that true faith can be transformative.

Ultimately, this narrative invites us to embrace the incredible promise of grace. By trusting in God’s unwavering commitment, we can deepen our faith journey, knowing that we, too, are called to respond with belief, irrespective of our imperfections. Let’s seize this opportunity to strengthen our relationship with God and live in the fullness of His promises!

What profound truths did Abraham uncover during his covenant with God? He understood that God is not a respecter of persons, meaning divine favor is not granted based on individual merit or social status. Instead, God’s grace is a gift, unearned and freely given, rather than a reward for one’s efforts.

In this covenant promise, God established a crucial template for salvation that would resonate throughout biblical history. When God instructed Abraham to bring specific animals, the ritual of cutting them in two symbolized the serious nature of the covenant. God portrayed the animals’ severed bodies as a representation of the consequences God would face if He failed to fulfill His commitments to Abraham. Yet, remarkably, He also conveyed that if Abraham faltered in keeping the covenant, the same fate would befall God, not Abraham, which tells of the future sacrifice of Jesus on the cross becoming our sin bearer.

This intricate arrangement foreshadowed a significant event in Christian theology: the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In accepting the weight of humanity’s sins, Jesus fulfilled the covenant’s dire penalty, showcasing the depth of God’s love and the monumental sacrifice made for redemption. This powerful narrative illustrates the gravity of the covenant with Abraham and the profound implications for humanity.

What was God’s promise to Abraham? He was assured that he and his descendants would be blessed and prosper in countless ways, establishing a legacy that would impact future generations. This promise is especially remarkable considering Abraham was 100 years old and had no children, making fatherhood seem practically impossible.

The Apostle Paul, in Galatians 3:29, sheds further light on this promise, stating: “And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to the promise.” This verse emphasizes that the blessings granted to Abraham extend to all who have faith in Christ, positioning them as part of Abraham’s spiritual lineage. Abraham’s believing loyalty to God was rooted in his unwavering faith that God would fulfill His word, despite the natural limitations of age faced by both him and his wife, Sarah, who was also well advanced in years. This narrative exemplifies the theme of faith in the face of adversity, showcasing Abraham’s role as a pivotal figure in the biblical narrative of faith and divine promise.

Today, God’s promise resonates with powerful relevance, reaching out to all who find their identity in Christ. Jesus, the miraculous seed of Abraham, takes up residence within us, transforming us into the living descendants of Abraham—shining beacons of faith and reflections of God’s transformative work across the earth.

Imagine a 100-year-old man—by the world’s standards, he might be seen as frail and limited. Yet, this is where God’s extraordinary grace shines most brightly, highlighting His unwavering commitment to fulfilling even the most improbable promises. From the dawn of creation, God envisioned a flourishing Eden, a paradise extending far and wide, drawing humanity into His loving embrace. Sadly, an insidious corruption disrupted this divine plan, leading God to regret the creation of humankind and contemplate a fresh start, wiping away the very beings He had lovingly formed.

In that moment of missed expectation, Christ emerged with a breathtaking vision for restoration. He willingly took on human form, becoming the ultimate sacrifice for sin—a profound act of love and redemption. As both fully God and fully man, Jesus navigated the complexities of this world while retaining His divinity. In doing so, He became the ultimate answer to humanity’s desperate longing for redemption, the redeemer who offers a pathway back into a reconciled relationship with God. We are invited to experience the fullness of life He intended through Him.

The world’s nations showcase a rich tapestry of cultures and ethnicities, with people from various backgrounds now living in diverse countries across the globe. In this transformative period of history, God is purposefully bringing the nations to our doorsteps, offering us a remarkable opportunity to share the life-changing message that we are all sons and daughters of the promise. As individuals from these multifaceted ethnic groups hear, understand, and accept this profound truth, they often take it back to their communities, creating a powerful ripple effect. This strengthens their faith and fosters connections among people from different backgrounds, ultimately leading to the dynamic expansion of God’s kingdom in ways that transcend borders and unite us all.

Those who embrace the transformative message of the Gospel and commit to believing loyalty in Jesus Christ find liberation from the exhausting struggle to earn God’s favor or to improve themselves through their own efforts. Instead, they gratefully receive the remarkable gift of God’s Son, who has selflessly provided everything we need to be entirely accepted by God. This includes His grace, mercy, and the promise of eternal life with Him,  which are freely offered to all who believe. This profound understanding was first revealed to Abraham, who recognized the importance of faith over works firsthand, and he passed this invaluable legacy on to us, reminding us that our relationship with God is rooted in believing loyalty rather than human effort.

The misunderstood message of evangelism isn’t focused on reaching the world for Christ; it is about becoming the living example of Christ right in the communities in which we live. It is Christ in us, the hope of glory. It isn’t necessarily about what we do but who we are. The message of Christ is in our lives, not just the words we preach. The early Church existed in a different time when nations were isolated and did not mix well with other cultures. Today, that is incredibly different; many cultures mix within different countries to become homogenous, so people move to and from these nations because they can live without persecution or have a more prosperous life. Whatever the reason for their relocation, God is ultimately honored.

The essence of evangelism transcends the simple act of reaching the world for Christ; it is fundamentally about becoming a living embodiment of Christ in our communities. This process involves allowing Christ to dwell within us, offering the hope and glory that can inspire transformation in those around us. Evangelism is not merely concerned with our actions or what we say; it is deeply rooted in who we are as individuals reflecting Christ’s love and teachings.

In the early days of the Church, many cultures operated in a time when nations were primarily isolated from one another, with distinct cultural identities and limited interactions. This isolation meant that beliefs were often shaped by local customs and traditions. In stark contrast, today’s world is marked by an unprecedented mingling of cultures, as globalization and migration allow people from diverse backgrounds to live and work together. Individuals now move across borders in search of safety from persecution, opportunities for economic advancement, or a desire for a better quality of life.

Regardless of the motivations driving this movement—fleeing conflict, seeking religious freedom, or pursuing education—each migration story presents an opportunity to showcase God’s glory and love in action. Through our relationships and the examples we set, we can demonstrate how faith in Christ can unite us across cultural divides, ultimately reflecting God’s heart to a world needing hope and connection.

A powerful example of divine intervention is vividly illustrated in the second chapter of Acts, where the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles during the Feast of Pentecost. This momentous event enabled the disciples to speak in many languages, bringing a vibrant unity to the diverse crowd gathered in Jerusalem. This occurrence was far from arbitrary; it resonated deeply with the significant historical narrative of Genesis 11, where God scattered humanity by confusing their languages at the Tower of Babel, creating divisions and barriers among people.

At that time, devout Jewish individuals from various nations, including Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, had traveled to Jerusalem to celebrate Pentecost, making it a melting pot of cultures and languages. As these travelers listened, they were astonished to hear the disciples proclaiming the ‘mighty works of God’ in their native tongues—an unmistakable sign of divine grace and restoration.

This remarkable demonstration was not merely a display of supernatural ability; it signified the dawn of a new era in which God actively restored the connection between Himself and humanity. Through this act, He welcomed all people back into fellowship, not relying on human efforts or the flawed language constructs that had once divided them, but through His Spirit’s transformative and unifying power. This monumental event set the stage for spreading the Christian message across the globe, emphasizing that God’s love and salvation transcend all language and cultural barriers.

Stephen Barnett