Their Faith Is Credited as Righteousness – Romans 4:4-8

Read Romans 4: 4-8

Romans 4 emphasizes the grace of God throughout the chapter, highlighting that it is given to the undeserved. Apostle Paul, in establishing churches, continually emphasized the importance of holding on to the grace and salvation through Christ. Faith can deteriorate when we stray from this core principle. The danger lies not far from us – it occurs when we lose gratitude for what we’ve received and start relying on our own contributions and deeds, which leads to arrogance. So, what should we be thankful for?

The cross stands as the most essential doctrine in Christianity, embodying the love of God in our hearts. The Son had no necessity or reason to suffer on the cross, and the Father didn’t have to give up His precious and beloved Son for sinners like us. The indescribable love of God landed in our hearts, and we must contemplate the heartrending pain the Father endured witnessing His Son’s suffering for us. Christ willingly took upon Himself the suffering and judgment we deserved, redeeming us. Now, what do we need to do?

God doesn’t demand righteousness from us, but rather, He asks for faith – faith that accepts His love, faith that simply accepts the resurrected Jesus Christ. When we believe in the One who justifies the ungodly, even when we are still ungodly, God credits us as righteous. This is the righteous person the Bible speaks of.

In Psalms 32:1-2, King David confesses, “Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sins the Lord does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit.” This confession should also be ours before God. The term “you righteous” in the last verse of the chapter (Psalms 32:11) refers to us, who have been granted justification freely by God’s grace, believing that we are forgiven despite our sins.

Let us, therefore, rejoice in the Lord, be glad, and sing for His mercy in our lives.