July 17

Read / Listen

1 Chronicles 24:1-26:11
Romans 4:1-12
Psalm 13:1-6
Proverbs 19:15-16

New Testament: Romans 4:1-12

For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” ~ Romans 4:3

Summary: Abraham Justified by Faith

“Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.”
~ Romans 4:7-8

July 17, as we look into the New Testament today, we’ll be reading from the Book of Romans, chapter 4, verses 1 through 12. We’ll see how Abraham was saved not by works, but by faith. Salvation is not like wages that you earn or works that you can boast about. Abraham was not saved by keeping the law because the law had not been given.

Nor was he saved by obeying a religious ritual. It was all by God’s grace. We’ll see how David was saved. You know, David wrote Psalm 32 after his great sin with Bathsheba. Can God forgive a man who commits adultery, deceit, and murder?

The answer, of course, is yes. When David repented and turned to God, he was forgiven. Even though the Lord allowed David to feel the bitter consequences of his sins. God justifies the ungodly, not the righteous. And you will see how you can be saved simply by believing God’s promise, as Abraham did.

Faith and promise go together, just as law and works go together. Abraham is the father of the Jewish nation physically, but he is the father of all believers spiritually. At Calvary, our sins were put on Christ’s account. When you trust Christ, God puts Christ’s righteousness on your account. That’s why we call the gospel good news.

Now, what can be more blessed than to know that your sins are forgiven? Hallelujah. And with that, let’s begin today’s reading in the New Testament.