June 1, 2020
Romans 4:1-3
What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, discovered in this matter?  If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God.  What does Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”
New International Version (NIV)
Good things often happen in a prayer meeting.  As a high school student in Montana, I went to a Bible Study and prayer meeting one night.  By that time, I had read through much of the scripture.  My Pastor, Raymond Franklin asked us how people in the Old Testament were saved.  I was not as educated in the scriptures as I thought I was.  Somehow I had it in my head that in the Old Testament people were saved by keeping the law, and in the New Testament by placing faith in God.  My pastor set me straight that night.  I am so glad he did. 

In his letter to the Romans, Paul reaches back to the life of Abraham to demonstrate that salvation is by grace through faith.  In Genesis 15:6, Abraham had to decide whether or not to believe God’s seemingly impossible promises.  When he trusted God, he was justified.  It was before the covenant and the laws which became the markers of the Hebrew religion in the Old Testament.  Abraham had not yet kept the covenant of circumcision.  Nor had he obeyed the ten commandments because they were hundreds of years away from Moses bringing them to the people. 

Abraham was saved the same way we are.  He put his trust in God’s grace.  And God credited to him for righteousness.  He spent a lifetime becoming more righteous.  Sometimes he failed to obey God.  But God had already credited his own righteousness to Abraham.  As we believe in Christ’s death and resurrection, God exchanges his righteousness for our unrighteousness.  He saves us by his grace – unmerited favor, as we put our trust in him.  But isn’t our act of trusting in faith a way of earning God’s love?  No.  Even the ability to trust comes from God (Ephesians 2:8-10).  So we can never take credit for God’s love and grace in saving us.  God gives all the grace so God gets all the glory.  If we boast at all we boast in what God has done.                

So what is our part after God does his part?  We continue to work out (not work for) our salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12-13).  God’s kindness to us makes us want to trust him more and more.  The more we trust him, the more he will transform us into the likeness of Jesus.  We will obey because we are becoming the kinds of people who obey.  No doubt about it:  we are God’s masterpiece, handiwork and workmanship.  He created us in Christ to do good works which we are fully prepared to do, not to gain salvation but to glorify him for his great grace.  “Amazing grace will always be my song of praise.”  
Pray with me:         
Father, thank you for grace.  Let us drink deeply at that fountain today.  Let your grace transform us into grateful followers of Christ who give you glory with every breath of our lives.  We praise you and thank you and obey you in Jesus’ name.  Amen.   
Join us in memorizing the Word.  Scripture for this week:    
Matthew 5:47-48
And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?  Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Our 2020 Every Day with Jesus readings will follow the Foundations New Testament reading plan.  Copies of the reading plan are available at Tallowood Baptist Church, or download your copy at REPLICATE.ORG 
We would love for you to join us as we read the New Testament through this year, five chapters a week.  In addition I will continue my long-standing practice of reading one Psalm a day through the year.  Use Robby Gallaty’s H. E. A. R. plan to study each chapter (also found at REPLICATE.ORG). Highlight verses which speak to you, explain what they mean in your own words in a journal, apply them to your own life, then respond by doing what God tells you to do.  
Joyfully, 
Duane 
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