Did any of you take AP (advanced placement) classes
in high school and then get college credit for it? You didn’t have to take or
pay for the class in college, but were given the credits as if you had!
With God’s righteousness, we won’t ever meet His
standards. However, for those who place their faith in His work on their
behalf, He credits with Christ’s righteousness. He treats us as if we were
righteous and have met His standards.
Romans 4:1-8 What
then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh,
discovered in this matter? 2 If, in fact, Abraham was justified
by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God. 3 What
does Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as
righteousness.”
4 Now to
the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. 5 However,
to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their
faith is credited as righteousness. 6 David says the same thing
when he speaks of the blessedness of the one to whom God credits righteousness
apart from works:
7 “Blessed are those
whose transgressions are forgiven,
whose sins are covered.
8 Blessed is the one
whose sin the Lord will never count against them.”
whose transgressions are forgiven,
whose sins are covered.
8 Blessed is the one
whose sin the Lord will never count against them.”
For believers, our sin is treated as if the
punishment has been paid. We didn’t pay for it, but Jesus did on our behalf. He
paid our punishment and we get His righteousness!!! Fair, huh?! No. What love,
grace and mercy!!!
Alice