SCRIPTURE: Romans 4
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
What is it that God is looking for from us? How good is good enough? What rituals or sacrifices or moral requirements do we have to meet? Is there a list of ‘entrance requirements’ with God? Paul challenges the traditional Jewish approach, which he excelled at [Philippians 3:3-7], and shows that even Abraham was accepted by faith, not by performance.
A sinful woman, who did not measure up to God’s standards, came to Jesus with deep love, deep sorrow, and anointed His feet with her tears and perfume, wiping them with her hair. Then Jesus says to her, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” [Luke 7:50] Jesus saw into her heart, and there He saw humility, honesty, sincerity… love. What God wants from us is a broken, contrite heart [Psalm 51:17]. What God is looking for is humble, sincere confidence in Him. It was not because Abraham fulfilled a list, but because He responded to God in humility and faith. This is what pleases God.
True, such a heart response will change the way we live. But behavioural change is the result of a heart change. God looks at the underlying attitude of the heart. He forgives such people. He does not hold their sin against them. He knows they hate sin, He sees their sincere struggle. He looks at such people and sees them as righteous – He credits them as righteous.
Sinful people who know they have problems, who know they are not good enough, who know they need help, such people are the kind of people God loves to welcome. He demonstrated this through Jesus; look at the people that were drawn to Him! This will not leave us free to live as we please, that would be impossible because such a heart hates the sin that makes us unworthy, and is desperate to be free from it.
But in our ongoing struggle against sin, we do not need to fear God’s anger or rejection. He is not watching us, waiting for us to mess up. He loves us, period. He wants to help us. He knows we will fail, but He doesn’t quit on us. He declares us innocent (even though we know how much sin remains in our life), and tells us to “go in peace”. Deal with your sin with the confidence that you are already accepted. ‘There is nothing we can do that will make God love us more; there is nothing we can do that will make God love us less!” This is the position – or the confidence – with which we can now move forward in life, striving with His love and help to become the people He already sees us as.
PRAYER:
Lord, I am accepted by You just as I am. But You will not leave me, just as I am. Help me to be just as You want me to be.
Saved by faith. Made right with God not through works, but believe. All of God’s people must say the words of Thomas, who stated that he would not believe without the physical reality of seeing the Christ – My Lord and my God.
As Abe was called to leave and follow the Lord’s command, not knowing where he was going until he got there, believing in the promises of God, so too I must believe in His promises, that Christ Jesus is my Master and Friend, and the only way of eternal Life – living forever in His presence – today, tomorrow and forever. I am made right only by His blood and righteousness. He has made me whole. Help me in my weakness for in You I am strong to live this day in Your service. Dispell my fears and doubts and flood me with Your Spirit Lord.
Grace and truth shall mark the way
Where the Lord His own will lead,
If His Word they still obey
And His testimonies heed.
For Thy Name’s sake hear Thou me,
For Thy mercy, Lord, I wait;
Pardon my iniquity,
For my sin is very great.
He who walks in godly fear
In the path of truth shall go;
Peace shall be his portion here,
And his sons all good shall know.
They that fear and love the Lord
Shall His holy friendship know;
He will grace to them accord,
And His faithful covenant show.