Jimbo's Jots

Last week? Bad news – we are all sinners given over to our own desires. This week? Great news – we are justified by faith through Jesus Christ whose death on the cross.

Now in our section this week, Romans 3:21-4:25 (again, covering a lot of ground), Paul is sharing that our “being made right in the sight of God” is through the faith in Christ to all who believe . . . and are justified by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. (3:22, 24)

Paul then uses Abraham as his example. Abraham would have the connection that the Jews in Rome needed to confirm their belief on “being right”. Paul would argue that Abraham, born before the law given and before the cross, received his justification through faith in God, especially through the power of God in believing the resurrection.

Think about it. God tells Abraham that he is to have a son, after saying you will many descendants. God then tells Abraham to sacrifice his son. It’s when Abraham is at his lowest point (see Genesis 22:10) that God provide the saving sacrifice (Genesis 22:11). In other words, God sometimes waits until we are unable to help ourselves before he will release His power of salvation.

As parents, we sometimes do this with our own children. We want to raise “self-reliant children”. So we give them opportunities to try to do things on their own. It’s only when we realize that they need our help that we step in and offer “salvation”. It’s only when they realize they need our help that they ask. It’s the toddler trying to walk. It’s the school project to be done by TOMORROW!! It’s the teenager going over to a friend’s house for the first time. It’s the college student moving to a campus far away.

On a deeper level, God’s plan of salvation is offered even when we were “dead” and without hope. (Romans 5:8).

Be blessed and be a blessing!