SCRIPTURE: Romans 4:1-25

OBSERVATION:
Paul is explaining that God’s blessing is not received because of what we do (law, works, as payment for our efforts) but simply because we trust God.
Abraham received the promise of the nations BEFORE he was circumcised, not BECAUSE he was circumcised. God’s blessing is first, separate from our performance or obedience, and all those who believe it, receive it!
Believing (or trusting) God is the key, if we do then God counts that faith as ‘righteousness’ (i.e. I am right, acceptable and pleasing to God).
God treats us graciously, He does not hold our sins against us, He removes the death penalty for sin by sending Jesus to die for us – all this is a free gift, not something we earn by our good works or holy performance. Like Abraham, we receive it as we believe it!

APPLICATION:
Do I live as if I am loved by God, forgiven by God, acceptable to God, just as I am – all because of God’s gracious love and not because I try so hard, work so hard, try my best or live well?
Imagine my guilt as a huge debt that I could never repay. God has canceled that debt, paying for it Himself. I do not have to earn this, I do not need to contribute to help cover costs, the debt is TOTALLY paid off (see Matthew 18:21-35).
Somehow, deep down inside I think I still feel that somehow I am more loveable than others, that because my sin is not as bad as others, I am better than them. Its not that I believe this, but deep down that feeling is there.
In reality, my guilt and shame is HUGE, and if it wasn’t for God’s amazing grace, I would be in huge trouble.
You can tell whether a person understands God’s amazing grace by how they treat others – graciously or critically.

PRAYER:
Lord, help me to feel the depth of my sin, my guilt, my shame. Help me to feel the depth of Your love and mercy. And help me to see others – like myself – as unworthy of Your love, yet amazingly forgiven and accepted by You. Help me to believe it, help me to live it! Amen.