No Better Words

We all enjoy complimentary words - they encourage our hearts. I have been personally blessed by so many friends who regularly strengthen my heart with kind words and deeds. For this, I am so grateful! These are words written about Abraham: "Abraham believed God" (Romans 4:3a NASB). How many of us would take those words over other words? I dare to say we do not fully grasp the extent of ... believing God. Note it does not say Abraham believe "in" God but that Abraham simply "believed" God. We can believe in something without trusting it explicitly, i.e. I believe in electricity but I do not trust that it will always do what it should do. God called Abraham to leave his home and go to a place God would show him, and that's exactly what Abraham did. Why? Because he not only believe "in God," he "believed God" knew and would do what was best. That belief meant something far beyond anything Abraham could or would know: Romans 4:3 concludes with these words: "it was credited to him as righteousness." Abraham's believing [God] became to him God's righteousness. In the same way, when we believe God sent His Son (Jesus) as payment for our sin, Jesus' righteousness becomes our own: "to the one who does not work but believes in Him [Jesus] Who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness" (Romans 4:5 ESV). No better words can be spoken of anyone than that he or she believes God. That belief results in the righteousness of Christ. If that is personally true, there is no greater encouragement; there are ... no better words.