does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith—just as abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”? [galatians 3:5-6]
abraham believed God.
quite a profound thing. what was he believing. oh, if you look at the whole of genesis 15 (and i encourage you to), his belief was simple – yet deep, childlike – yet desperate.
he was believing – that somehow – God was true to his word.
he was believing – that somehow – God would give him a son through his, way past child-bearing age, wife sarah.
he was believing – that somehow – God would bless him with sons like the stars.
he was believing – that somehow – God would bless the nations through him and this son.
he was believing – that somehow – God was his only hope for life to continue on through his legacy.
he was believing – that somehow – God was his only hope for life to continue on for him, after this life.
he believed God.
justification – is being made right with God, so we can be with God.
as abraham was made right by complete desperate faith in God who is, who does, and who alone saves, we too are are made right by complete desperate faith in God. our faith is in Jesus, the son of God – who is, who does, and who alone saves. we both faith the one true God.
abraham looked forward to what God would do and – he was justified, made right with God to be with God.
we look back at what God has done in Jesus and – we are justified, made right with God to be with God.
there is no other way. faith, total desperate trust in the person and work of Jesus is our only way to be right with God (and please hear the word of God – you are not right with him [rom 6:23] outside of faith in the person and work of Jesus). and, the beauty of being made right – we get the Spirit of God. he comes to live in us, to be with us, forever!
amazing!
always amazing!
forever and ever amazing!
couple of question to spur more time with the Lord today:
- what about this wondrous work of God causes you to worship and praise our God? praise him!
- who has God brought to your mind this morning that needs the saving work of faith in Jesus? pray for them now!
- how can you be used by God to share this good news? pray for the way, the boldness, the opportunity!
~ john ryan