“Grace binds you with far stronger cords than the cords of duty or obligation can bind you. Grace is free, but when once you take it you are bound forever to the Giver, and bound to catch the spirit of the Giver. Like produces like, Grace makes you gracious, the Giver makes you give” (E. Stanley Jones). Grace through faith begins in the Old Testament seen in the lives of Abraham and David. Paul explained how Christ’s resurrection imparts righteousness through faith and not by obeying the Law.

Abraham could boast if he was justified by works, but not before God. Gen. 15:6 says that Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness. When a man works, his wages are credited as an obligation, not a gift. When a man believes God who justifies the wicked and does not work, his faith is credited as righteousness. David speaks the same thing concerning the man whom God credits righteousness apart from works. The Lord will not take into account his vcsins since He forgives them (Rom. 4:1-8). Abraham and David believed God and it was credited to them as righteousness. 

Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness while he was uncircumcised. The promise to Abraham and his descendants was not through the Law, but through righteousness coming by faith. The promise is worthless if people have to live by the Law instead of faith. Abraham was a father to many nations. The promise comes by faith according to grace for everybody (Rom. 4:9-16). Promise of righteousness comes by faith through grace, not by the Law.

God gives life to the dead just as Abraham’s body was good as dead being 100 years old and Sarah’s womb was dead. Yet he did not waver in unbelief regarding God’s promise, but was fully persuaded that God had the power to do what He promised. This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.” These words apply to us whom God credits righteousness for those who believe in God who raised Jesus from the dead. He was delivered over to death for our sins and raised to life for our justification (Rom. 4:17-25). God credits righteousness to anyone who believes in God’s power to raise Jesus from the dead. 

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Faith introduced us to grace in which we now stand. In addition to the hope of the glory of God, we rejoice in our sufferings since they produce perseverance, proven character and hope, which does not disappoint. The reason is that God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit given to us. While we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. It is rare that someone would even die for a righteous man. God demonstrated His love toward us that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Rom. 5:1-8). Love and peace from Christ’s death enables you to rejoice in suffering and character development. 

Not only being justified by His blood, we will be saved from the wrath of God through Him. For it we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more we will be saved by His life. We also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ through whom we have received reconciliation (Rom. 5:9-11). Christ’s life saves you from present and eternal wrath. 

When sin entered into the world through Adam, death spread to all men because all sinned. In contrast, God’s abundant grace reigned in life through one man, Jesus, as the gift of righteousness is received. Just as one trespass resulted in condemnation to all men, so one act of righteousness resulted in justification granting life to all men. One man’s disobedience made many sinners, but one man’s obedience made many righteous. The Law came in that trespass might increase but where sin increased, grace increased even more. Just as sin reigned in death, grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (Rom. 5:12-21). Sin entered the human race through Adam, but grace, life and righteousness comes by receiving Christ. 

Have you placed your faith in Christ’s death and resurrection to obtain God’s grace, life and righteousness? Or are you trying to obeying the law and reap sin and condemnation? 


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