4 What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” 4 Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. 5 And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness,6 just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works:
7 “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven,
and whose sins are covered;8 blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.”
and whose sins are covered;8 blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.”
(Romans 4)
One of the key words or phrases of our day is "Blessed". We see it on plaques in gift stores to place on our walls. Everyone wants to be "blessed", truly happy, knowing that all is well. For those who know what it truly is to be "blessed" they know it is a gift from God for which we should be thankful. Both Abraham and David understood this. They beleived God and His promises; they had a heart to follow and obey Him. They knew that when we do we are blessed; when we don't we are not. Blessing comes not because God has to bless us for being so good, but because He chooses to forgive and give righteousness to those who trust Him. They anticipated what God offers in Jesus Christ: forgiveness and a relationship with God that is the way it ought to be: trust and obey.
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