[13] 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. (Romans 4:13)
Personal righteousness is counterintuitive and comforting.
Take Abram for example. In Genesis chapter 12 God tells Abram to gather his family, leave his homeland, and travel to some unspecified location. In the face of risks and uncertainty, Abram complies.
Human nature being what it is, our first thought is that Abram taking this journey proved his faith in God, thus making him righteous. Our first thought would be dead wrong. It turns out, personal righteousness is counterintuitive.
If our trusting in God proved us righteous, we’d be in trouble. It places the onus for righteousness on our shoulders. Sooner or later, we’ll fail. We’ll have doubts. Our trust in God will falter. We will sin. Just like that, our righteousness would slip away.
Fortunately, God places our righteousness on Jesus’ shoulders. He earned our forgiveness of sins. Faith is a gift of God. That’s why in our passage the Apostle Paul says Abraham did not earn his righteousness through the law. Instead, it was a gracious gift of God to Abraham.
When we reflect on all the times we’ve failed to keep God’s will, we find a great deal of comfort in our right relationship with God is based in Christ and in God given faith.
(A Second Look devotions are written for the congregations of the Ohio District LCMS.)
Kevin Wilson 360 