July 21
Scripture: Rom 4:5
Source author: Joseph Compaine
July 21
Faith Gives Us Righteousness But people are counted as righteous, not because of their work, but because of their faith in God. —Romans 4:5
The man sat on the park bench carving away at a stick in his hand. I sat down next to him. After watching, I said, “That’s quite an interesting figure you have there on your stick.” “Just passing the time,” he said. He showed it to me. It was a face of some sort. He was good at it. We talked about different things. Later, I found out he was a Christian. I asked him what the greatest thing about being a Christian was for him. He said, “You know, I was a pretty bad sinner most of my life. Still am. But the idea that God made me righteous by faith because of His love for me amazes me every day.” “How come?” I asked, wondering where this came from. “To be considered perfect? To be looked at as a good person by God with the things I done? It shocks me down to my toes.” I kept thinking about it. God’s love was such that He not only gave me a new life, but a new character. He saw me as good, righteous, worth knowing. That was a real encouragement. I realized God has done much more than save me. He made me fit for eternity, and heaven, all at once.
God’s love not only transforms us day by day, but He made us perfect from the day we believed. What a gift! — Joseph Compaine —