The Apostle Paul taught that a... - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2025

For what does the Scripture say? Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.
Romans 4:3

The Apostle Paul taught that a person is not justified by keeping the Jewish law, but by faith in Jesus Christ and His atoning work. The Jews took exception to this. That is why Paul refers to God’s actions in the Old Testament.

Even Abraham, the forefather of the people of Israel, didn’t stand before God as a righteous man because of his own perfection. He was also justified by faith. The opponents of the apostle could read this in their own holy scriptures (Genesis 15:6).

Just as Paul proves the sinfulness of all men with quotations from the Old Testament (Romans 3:10–18), he also gives proof of justification by faith with examples from the Old Testament.

“What does Scripture say?” That is crucial for Paul. And when it comes to the question of how a person can get right with God, even today the answer can only be found in the Scriptures. The Word of God has ultimate authority.

Righteousness was “imputed” to Abraham, not because he led a blameless life full of merits – it was not his own accomplishments that determined his standing before God. Rather, he was declared righteous because he trusted in God, not in himself: He “believed God”, and this was “counted to him for righteousness”. When something is “imputed” or “credited” to a person in this context, then this is something that he did not possess in himself.

Therefore, at that time – and also today – people could only have a relationship with God “by faith”.

Today’s reading: Daniel 4:13-27 · Psalms 40:10-17