The chapter closes with a wonderful summary of the gospel message. Check it out: … The words "it was credited to him" were written not for him [Abraham] alone, but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness--for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification (23-25, NIV).
Let me give that to you in a few translations so you can enjoy the full flavor of its truth.
(NRSV): Now the words, "it was reckoned to him," were written not for his [Abraham’s] sake alone, but for ours also. It will be reckoned to us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, who was handed over to death for our trespasses and was raised for our justification.
(International Children’s Bible): Those words ("God accepted Abraham's faith") were written not only for Abraham. They were written also for us. God will accept us also because we believe. We believe in the One who raised Jesus our Lord from death. Jesus was given to die for our sins. And he was raised from death to make us right with God.
I just keep reading and reading these words. Over and over they turn. What great news! God will accept us also because we believe. We believe in the One who raised Jesus our Lord from death. Jesus was given to die for our sins. And he was raised from death to make us right with God.
Friends, have you believed in God who raised Jesus from the dead? I mean really believed… the kind of belief that you build a life upon. I hope so. The gifts that come with belief are extraordinary… forgiveness of all our sins and being made right with God. Yahoo! Now that’s the ‘good life.’ I hope you know it…
O, God, I do believe… thank You so, so much. Amen.
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