Romans 4:4, 5 Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation. However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness. --NIV In the name of the One Who justifies the wicked, amen.
If we hope to be righteous in God's sight by the Law, we will be working for our salvation. That is because the Law is a list of things that we must do to be good enough for God. We should pity anyone who tries to be righteous in this way, because they will never be good enough, and they will never have peace.
Blessed is the person who looks to Jesus' perfection for righteousness; he has righteousness as a gift from God. And, if righteousness is a gift from God, then we can be very certain that we are good enough for God, and with that certainty comes peace. Amen.
Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, we are not worthy of the kindness You show to us. You give us righteousness in Jesus as a free gift. Help us to value that precious gift, and not look for righteousness in works. Rather, keep us in the True Faith by the power of Your Holy Spirit so that we remain eternally grateful to You, amen.
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