“…because of Abraham’s faith, God considered him as righteous. And when God considered him as righteous, it wasn’t just for Abraham’s benefit. It was recorded FOR OUR BENEFIT, too, assuring us that GOD WILL ALSO COUNT US AS RIGHTEOUS IF WE BELIEVE IN HIM, the one who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. He was handed over to die because of OUR SINS, and He was raised to life to MAKE US RIGHT WITH GOD. Therefore, having been JUSTIFIED BY FAITH, we have PEACE WITH GOD through our Lord Jesus Christ…” (Rom. 4:22-25, 5:1)
Abraham experienced something very miraculous before the law was ever given. We are justified (dikaioō: to show or declare one to be righteous) by faith in Jesus Christ. If we choose to believe this we are also justified, just what does this do?
- IT MAKES US RIGHT WITH GOD.
- IT CAUSES US TO BE AT PEACE WITH GOD.
Some were trying to take away our peace. They were claiming in Paul’s day that there would no resurrection of the dead. “But tell me this (says Paul)—why are some of you saying there will be no resurrection of the dead? For if there is no resurrection of the dead, then all our preaching is useless, and your faith is useless…if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then your faith is useless and YOU ARE STILL GUILTY OF YOUR SINS…if our hope in Christ is only for this life, we are more to be pitied than anyone in the world. But in fact, CHRIST HAS BEEN RAISED FROM THE DEAD. He is the first of a great harvest of all who have died.” (1 Corin. 15:12-20)
THANKFULLY, CHRIST DID RISE FROM THE DEAD!!!
-Bill Stockham