Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2183117951984132/?source_id=181918175166472

December 8th

The bible reading today is in Romans 4-7.

“What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭4:1-2‬ ‭

Like everyone else, according to the book of Revelations, one day Abraham will stand before God to be judged. And like the rest of us, he will have absolutely nothing to boast about.

Because there is not one person, except Jesus, who could be justified before God by his own works. Because Jesus’ life and works were perfect. Abraham and us, ours are so imperfect!

There is only one thing that we will be able to boast about...the same as Abraham...our names are written in the book of life.

God has used today’s reading in my life for 50 years.

To begin with...I was raised in a church denomination that taught that a person was saved by a combination of things: his faith in Jesus, his immersion baptism in that denomination, and his number of good works that would outweigh his bad.

As far back as I can remember I always wanted to be a good kid and make my parents proud. But I failed over and over...in private and in not so private venues.

Frankly, I thought I was as good as most and better than many. Therefore, I was still pretty sure that I would make it to heaven...Until...I met and began dating Beverly in High School. We both went to church. We both came from good families.

And there was just something about her...pretty, yes...good grades...better than mine