A Word of Encouragement

May 22, 2022

PA004 - Circle of Time

Grace, Hope & Peace, Friend;

When God told Abraham, “Your descendants will be as numerous as the stars,” we read, “Then he believed in the Lord; and He credited it to him as righteousness.” (Genesis 15:5-6)

God didn't call Abraham ‘righteous’ because of anything he had done. He was ‘justified’ simply because he believed God. (Romans 4:2-5)

Jesus said, “God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

Sin results in death. (Ezekiel 18:4) And, since we have ALL sinned - failed to live up to God's standard, we have all died. (Ephesians 2:1) But, because of God's mercy and love for us, He restores, to us, eternal life. (Ephesians 2:4)

Abraham did not ‘earn’ forgiveness. He believed God and was forgiven. After hammering that point home, Paul wrote;

Now not for his sake only was it written that it was credited to him, but for our sake also, to whom it will be credited, to us who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead
	Romans 4:23-24

That “Abraham was justified,” is not just a fact of history. It was written to encourage everyone to believe God! Jesus, the sinless one (Hebrews 4:15), was sent because of our sin - He took our death (1 Peter 2:24) and, the fact that He rose again, shows that our sin has been completely forgiven. (Romans 4:25)

“Not for his sake only...” The Bible is not just a history book. It was written for our benefit (2 Timothy 3:16-17) The promises, miracles, trials and hardships, were all recorded for us! Ask God, by His Spirit, to show you how each story applies to you in your present circumstance. “He will guide you into all the truth” (John 16:13)

HaShem HaChaninah - God of gracious, free mercy - Thank You for your Word, given for my benefit. Help me apply it to my life.

Blessed are those whose lawless deeds have been forgiven, and whose sins have been covered.
Written by David - guilty of adultery, murder and deceit	Romans 4:7

Only believe,

-=john & nancy=-