Abraham's Faith
What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? Romans 4:1
All boasting of merit in ourselves is out of place. "Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in is riches; but let him that glorieth, glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth Me, that I am the Lord which exercise loving kindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth; for in these things I delight, saith the Lord" (Jeremiah 9:23, 24).
The reward is not of works, lest any man should boast; but it is all of grace. "What shall we say than that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness" (Romans 4:1-5). Therefore there is no occasion for one to glory over another or to grudge against another. No one is privileged above another, nor can anyone claim the reward as a right. (Christ Object Lessons, 401)
Reflection: "He who grudges the reward to another forgets that he himself is saved by grace alone" (Christ Object Lessons, 402). Our good works are a by-product of our love for Christ. A famous preacher of the gospel explained it this way. "A dog doesn't bark to become a dog, he barks because he is a dog." Christians have good works because they are Christians, not to become Christians.
What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? Romans 4:1
All boasting of merit in ourselves is out of place. "Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in is riches; but let him that glorieth, glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth Me, that I am the Lord which exercise loving kindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth; for in these things I delight, saith the Lord" (Jeremiah 9:23, 24).
The reward is not of works, lest any man should boast; but it is all of grace. "What shall we say than that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness" (Romans 4:1-5). Therefore there is no occasion for one to glory over another or to grudge against another. No one is privileged above another, nor can anyone claim the reward as a right. (Christ Object Lessons, 401)
Reflection: "He who grudges the reward to another forgets that he himself is saved by grace alone" (Christ Object Lessons, 402). Our good works are a by-product of our love for Christ. A famous preacher of the gospel explained it this way. "A dog doesn't bark to become a dog, he barks because he is a dog." Christians have good works because they are Christians, not to become Christians.
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