REACHING HURTING WOMEN MINISTRIES OFFERS FOUR TOPICS FOR CONTEMPLATION EVERY MONTH OF THE YEAR. EACH TOPIC IS A 12-MONTH STUDY SERIES ASSIGNED TO A SPECIFIC FRIDAY OF EVERY MONTH. IN MONTHS WITH FIVE FRIDAYS I’LL BE REVIEWING VARIOUS INSPIRATIONAL CHRISTIAN MEDIA.
On the second Friday of each month in 2022 we’re studying Andrew Wommack’s life-changing book: GRACE: The Power of the Gospel. In this study we dig into the New Testament book of Romans — Apostle Paul’s masterpiece on the subject of grace. I hope you will get a copy of Andrew’s book and join me for this study. Today we highlight Chapter Four.
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. ~ Romans 5:1-2
Many Christians believe that God gave the Law for us to keep. And when we kept the Law then we deserved a relationship with Him. But that isn’t the purpose of the Law. Then why did God give us all the laws and commandments if our salvation comes only by grace?
In Romans Chapter 4, Paul explains this to us using the example of Abraham. In Genesis 12, God promised Abraham that he would be the father of so many that he couldn’t count them. Abraham took God at His Word and by faith believed that God was going to keep His promise. At the point of Abraham’s belief, God saw Abraham as a righteous man. God saw Abraham as a person of right standing who could be in His presence. It wasn’t because of anything Abraham actually did. It was what he believed. It was his faith that put Abraham in right standing with God.
written for us
That is why Abraham’s faith was regarded as the basis of his approval by God. But the words “his faith was regarded as the basis of his approval by God” were written not only for him but also for us. Our faith will be regarded as the basis of our approval by God—each of us who believe in the one who brought Jesus, our Lord, back to life. ~ Romans 4:23-24
Abraham was declared right in God’s eyes thirteen years before he made covenant with God through the sign of circumcision. It was after he believed God’s promise that he would be the father of many nations not because of any actions or performance. Paul teaches us that these things are written for us so that we will know we too are found righteous and have access to God by our faith alone.
Have Peace With God
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, ~ Romans 5:1
It’s a hard life trying to measure up to God’s approval based on our own efforts. There’s nothing we can do that will clean off the sins we have committed. That kind of living carries a heavy burden and is empty of true peace that is available to us simply by putting our faith and trust in what Christ did for us on the cross.
“The only way we can have peace with God is through our Lord Jesus Christ.” ~ Andrew Wommack
Trust God and Let Go
Through our faith, Christ has brought us into that blessing of God’s grace that we now enjoy. And we are happy because of the hope we have of sharing God’s glory. ~ Romans 5:2
The world doesn’t understand God’s grace is equally available to all. God is an equal opportunity God. He won’t play favorites between people. We all have the same availability to the benefits of His love. Jesus paid the price for all of us. We each have free access to God’s grace everyday.
It’s not difficult. But we do have to make the decision to accept by faith what Jesus did for us. Faith is the only price we have to pay; to simply believe and receive. To do that we must let go of trying to please God in our own goodness and trust in our Savior, Jesus Christ!
If you’ve never taken this step of faith before, pray this simple prayer:
Jesus, I confess you as my Savior and Lord. By faith in God’s Word I accept your grace and receive my salvation today. Thank you Jesus for saving me!