when faith becomes a ‘work’…

In Romans 4:5 (Dutch Staten Vertaling) it says:
“Yet to him who is not working, yet is believing on Him Who is justifying the ungodly, his faith is reckoned for righteousness.”

God reckons faith for righteousness. What kind of faith?
Answer: “faith in Him Who is justifying the ungodly.”
This faith stands in direct contrast to ‘works’ (= earning; 4:4).
Whoever believes SO THAT God may become his or her Saviour through that, is engaged in ‘works’.
Whoever believes IN ORDER TO become the possession of Christ, is engaged in ‘works’.
Whoever believes IN ORDER TO be reconciled with God, is engaged in ‘works’.

Just like Israel once did, Christendom is also busy establishing its own righteousness.
It tries to earn what God gives FOR NOTHING (cf. Romans 9:31–10:3).
With its ‘faith performances’, it passes over what God has accomplished:

God IS the Saviour of all mankind (1 Timothy 4:10).
Everyone IS ransomed by Christ (1 Timothy 2:6).
Every human being IS reconciled to God (Romans 5:10).

There is nothing to earn here.
God declares that all of this is a FACT. For nothing.

A believer is someone who accepts this joyful message!

Delen: