It Depends On Faith

"For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith.  For if it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void.  For the law brings wrath, but where there is no law there is no transgression. That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring—not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all...." Romans 4:13-16 

It is not my adherence to God's law (the 10 commandments) or my attempts at being a good person that counts me righteous. If my righteousness is dependent on my ability to be a good person, to adhere to Gods law, then what's the point of faith? What's the point of God's promise? If I am able to be a good person, then why was God's one and only son beaten, bruised and crucified to a cross? Why would God do that? Why would Jesus willingly do that?  Because I.am.in.need.of.a.Savior!  Because our God is merciful and loving. And it's by His grace.  So my faith "is counted to me as righteousness." 

The law is not there as a set of rules to help me stay in line or as a guide to being a good person.  The law is the mirror that shows me I am in need of a Savior.  Sin entered the world when Adam and Eve chose to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. God, being a Holy God, had to separate Adam and Eve from himself.  God, being a just God, had to discipline Adam and Eve. The law brings wrath because God is holy and just.  But God is also loving and merciful, which is why He made a way for our justification through Jesus.  Then our faith in what Jesus has done is what is counted to me as righteousness.  And when we see this full picture of what love, mercy, grace, sacrifice, only then are we able to extend love, mercy, grace, and sacrifice self for God's glory.

My hope rests in God alone, in what Jesus suffered for me.  It is not by my power, but by His sacrifice, by His grace, and by His mercy.  How freeing is that?!  It is not by my righteousness that I am counted as His child, as an heir to the King of all kings.  It is simply by my faith in His promises.  He has chosen me as His child.  He has adopted me as His own.  He has loved me when there was nothing good in me.  He has fulfilled His promises to me. He died for me.