2023_02_08 Insight Post- Rusty Coram
This week’s reading- Genesis 12, Matthew 1:1-17, Genesis 14, Romans 4
Reading about Abraham, I wish someone would make a mini-series of his life. If it were done right, it would rival Yellowstone for sure! He was a man of faith and humility, as well as fear and weakness at times. Side Note: The fact that the Biblical record includes both his strengths and weaknesses is a testament to its trustworthiness. After reading about him, it’s no wonder why Abraham was revered among the Jewish people. In Romans 4, Paul says, “Abraham was, humanly speaking, the founder of our Jewish nation.” Romans 4:1 (NLT) Paul explains that Abraham’s greatness was His trust in God, not strict adherence to the Old Testament laws. Long before the 10 commandments, Abraham trusted God. Before he was circumcised, Abraham was a man of faith. These are important facts because the Jewish people had become obsessed with the laws and circumcision. Obsession with rules and regulations can’t take the place of committing our lives to Christ… if someone could become right with God by just following traditions, then Jesus’ death wouldn’t have been necessary. Paul wants all of us to know that God is looking for those who will humbly believe like Abraham and not merely work to follow laws and regulations. Once we decide to believe, then our behavior will follow as evidence of our belief. I love how Paul states this by quoting David from Psalm 32,” David also spoke of this when he described the happiness of those who are declared righteous without working for it:
7 “Oh, what joy for those
whose disobedience is forgiven,
whose sins are put out of sight.
Yes, what joy for those
whose record the Lord has cleared of sin.”
Romans 4:6–8 (NLT)
Gratitude leads to obedience. Obedience is evidence of true faith, but it doesn’t take the place of faith.
Rusty Coram
Senior Pastor