Revelations 22:12-21

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Read Revelations 22:12-21 Verses for meditation: Revelations 22:12-13, 16, 20-21 ESV: 12 "Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” 16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.” 20 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! 21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen. Reflect How does it feel to be reading the very last few verses of the bible? What do the proclamations, the last few of them, say about Christ? Come, Lord Jesus! Does this really express our desire? How does the greatest book end, and on what note? But is this really the end? Relate With mixed feelings, I'm writing this last devotion based on the final ten verses of the greatest book, the bible. What a journe...
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Romans 4:1-5:11 "Never too good to be true"

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READ: Romans 4:1- 5:11.

Verses chosen for meditation: Romans 4:1-3.

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.”

 

REFLECT

Explaining God’s promised blessing of “credited righteousness by faith”, Paul gave two illustrations in this chapter 4. First, he takes us back to the experience of Abraham. He shows that Abraham was not justified by works. Otherwise, he would have something to boast about, v.2. Rather in verse 3, Paul quoted Genesis 15:6. Note that Abraham is by no means the only man who has faith, but he is pre-eminently qualified as a man of faith. He was credited righteousness by faith. This righteousness was unearned through any merits or good works. It came as a gift to Abraham through faith (vv. 4-5).

Second, Paul quoted Psalm 32:1-2 in vv.7-8 to show that King David as well, describes those against whom God will not count their sin, as ''blessed’ (v.6). Here, the experiences of Abraham and David confirm that justification is not new, it is the promise of God.

Paul then asked, “Is this justification for Jews only (v.9)?” His response is “no”, because when Abraham received the blessing (Gen 15), he was uncircumcised. It was not until 14 years later that his circumcision took place in Genesis 17.

So, is the promise of God too good to be true?  

 

RELATE

Romans 4 relates God's amazing gift of declaring Abraham righteous solely based on his faith. Circumcision was a physical sign of being set apart as God’s people; an integral part of His covenant with Abraham 1500 years earlier (Genesis 17:10-14). But God is far more interested in an inward change of attitude (circumcision of hearts) than in our outward religious symbolism and rituals. Circumcision did not confer the blessings on Abraham (v.11). Circumcision does not establish our spiritual lineage to Abraham, but faith does.

Similarly, the Mosaic laws did not confer the blessings on Abraham either (vv.13-15). Righteousness was credited to him well before the law was given (Gal 3:23-29). And law brings only wrath because it accuses us, and we cannot keep it. The passage explains that Abraham’s righteousness was by grace through faith, not by trying hard to be accepted, not physical circumcision, nor by law-keeping (vv.13-15).

Most of us usually live at a higher moral standard than society at large, it is easy for us to feel good about ourselves and to assume that God feels that way also. To do good, some would donate lots of money to charity, in hope to be acceptable and receive God’s blessings thereafter. Sadly, no amount of good works can save us from the judgement of sins and His wrath. God who sees the hearts is never impressed by man’s works or achievements. It is not man’s outward performances or personal doings but only God’s righteousness that is lasting for all eternity will work. Neither do we pursue self-worth through our own effort. Our personal worth before God is a gift, is the realisation that we are being accepted a with a sense of love and value in His sight. 

Abraham was “counted as righteous” because he believed and was convinced that God was able to do what had promised (vv. 21-22). The good news today is that right from the beginning, God has provided a perfect redemptive plan for sins to be atoned. His method of salvation has never changed. Faith focused on God’s gospel should always be the controlling factor of our lives. Because of Jesus, the story of God’s redemption had expanded to include each of us, Jews or Gentiles alike (I Pet 2:10 non-Jews).

Today, we as NT believers receive the same righteousness if we believe and accept God’s grace and in the finished work of our Lord Jesus (vv. 23-24). God's promises are ever so true. His grace is free to all who truly believes. 

 

REST

Dear God, give me the assurance to keep me from wavering concerning your promises through unbelief. Thank You for accepting me, just as I am. Amen.

 


Vincent

 

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