For a full description of the (Y3) reading plan, see the “About” page.
- What attributes of God’s character does this passage reveal?
- How does the passage point to Jesus?
- How should the truth of this passage change me?
- How do the events of today’s reading help you better understand the grand narrative of Scripture?
Rom. 4
In this chapter, Paul wrote extensively about Abraham and, “the righteousness he had by faith” (from Rom. 4:11). The CSB has a footnote indicating that the literal translation of this phrase is, “the righteousness of faith”. I like that. To me, it makes a clear distinction between the righteousness that is given to us by faith and the self-righteousness we attempt to achieve through our own efforts, which isn’t really righteousness at all. Paul uses this distinction to emphasize the differences between the righteousness of faith and the righteousness of works, or the Law. The righteousness of faith cannot be earned, but covers our unrighteousness with grace, making us heirs to the Kingdom of God according to His promise. Nothing we can do on our own could ever accomplish any of that.
Rom. 5-6
“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our lord Jesus Christ.” (Rom. 5:1). That is what salvation is all about. Reconciliation – to be at peace with God. We are no longer His enemies; we no longer oppose Him. And we are no longer banned from His presence. If you stop to really think about that, it is quite a thing to grasp.
Having peace with someone indicates that you are in agreement and on the same path with them. So that peace we have with God is really a two-way street. True, we have peace because He no longer counts our sin against us. But beyond that, we have peace because we should no longer desire to live in sin. This, too, comes through Jesus. He didn’t only offer us forgiveness of our sin, He offered us freedom from it.