What will produce the true righteousness of God in our lives once we have committed ourselves to the walk of faith? Le t us learn from Abraham’s life.
In his first encounter with God, as recorded in Genesis 12, Abraham received the call to the walk of faith. God asked Abraham to “leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you” (Gen. 12:1).
He obeyed and was willing to walk by faith, giving up the security of his home, the identity of his country, and the prosperity of his father’s household. This was a life changing experience.
The way of the world seduces us to believe that our need for security, identity, and prosperity are met by becoming independent and self-sufficient, apart from God. But in the case of Abraham, he “believed God, and it was credited to him for righteousness” (Rom. 4: 3).
Such a liberating truth! What God says about us is more important than what others are saying about us. We drive our identity and security from God; our creator and redeemer. God’s declaration over our life empowers us for the journey of faith with God. Have you heard the Spirit witness with your spirit that you are a child of God? (Rom. 8:16).
Indeed, what a difference it makes to be assured, in the disheartening darkness of our own deficiency, that we have perfect righteousness of Christ.
When we enter relationship with Christ it makes us a new creation (Gal. 6:15).
The great gospel truth of God’s redeeming grace revealed in historic person of Jesus Christ is the rock-solid reality that fills our life with unspeakable joy, that we are counted righteous in Christ by faith alone and not by deeds.
The letter enslaves us while the Words of Jesus are life-giving.