PODCAST
Blessing of Forgiveness
August 5th, 2022
Romans 4:1-8
Christ’s Body, the Church, has now experienced forgiveness of sin and can use Abraham and Sarah’s faith as a paradigm of their own. Abraham’s belief was counted (reckoned, credited) as righteousness. To believe without works is the essence of faith. Wages are not a gift but something owed to the worker for services rendered. Righteousness is not gained by works but by faith. Sins are covered in forgiveness, and righteousness is credited to us when we accept salvation.
Paul uses Psalm 32:1-2 to explain reckoning based on God’s grace, not on the Psalmist’s perfection. Just as we credit money to a debt, God credits grace to us when our sins are forgiven. He gives us His righteousness. Our sins are forgiven and covered by the blood of our Savior.
Are you trying to work out your own faith, earning your way to God’s heart? Know today that nothing we do can earn salvation. However, we can, by the grace of God, receive forgiveness and righteousness from God.
Author: Cheri Pommel
