1/24/21

 Abraham’s Faith

                    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.”  Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation.  However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness.

Romans 4:1-5

             We know that it is Faith that saves us.  We know.  We know that we cannot earn our way into Heaven.  We cannot impress God with our outstanding Spiritual Resume so much that He cannot stop Himself from ushering us through the Pearly Gates.  We know…but we like to hedge our bets just in case.  We like to point to all the Bible Studies that we have attended and all the service projects we have done and all of the things that we have sacrificed and all the burdens that we carry as if those are achievements that unlock the Kingdom of Heaven.  We want to be able to earn our way into glory for a few reasons:

·         Part of that is because we doubt that we are loved, so we try to ensure that we are respected.

·         Part of that is because we want this life to have meaning.  We want the late nights and the emergency room visits and the social isolation to be sacrifices that are necessary to lead to a greater good. 

·         Part of that is because Givers hate being Receivers.  There is a power and a moral high ground that comes from always giving.  Needing someone, even needing God, has a vulnerability and weakness that we run from. 

·         Part of it is simply that there are times where we do not believe that God is good.  We doubt that anyone could love someone else who did not earn that love.

            And that is one of the wonderful lessons that our children have to teach us.  We love babies because they are ours, not because of the work that they do.  We have to feed them and change them and clean them and keep them safe…and we still deeply love them.  And then they grow up.  And sometimes we still have to feed them and change them and clean them and keep them safe.  And we still deeply love them.  Not because they make our lives easier, but because they make our lives better.  Not because they serve us, but because they are a part of us.  Not because they are a productive member of society, but because they are an integral piece of our hearts.

            So it is with us and God.  We do not need to earn our way into His heart.  Instead we “trust God who justifies the ungodly.”  We trust the One who makes the filthy clean and the broken whole.  We trust the One who embraces the weak and honors the humble.  We do not need to be perfect in order to be cherished and chosen.  Our kids teach us that.

                                        

A moment to reflect:

God cherishes you.  Let that sink in for a few minutes.

Refrigerator Art of the Day:

D Age 7

2021 Update:

I have struggled through quarantine, trying to find meaning and value in what I do...trying to find some way that what I am doing matters and is value-filled.  And it has mostly been in vain.  And so I am left standing before God at the end of each day, asking if I have done enough for Him to love me.  I did a little bit of work for the office.  I did a little bit of work around the house.  I did a little bit of writing.  I cared for my family a lot.  Is that really enough to earn His love.  And God just shakes His head, smiling, and tells me that I have a lot to learn.