There are no works that I have to do in order to be justified. I cannot “win” God over by extraordinary gestures. I cannot buy my way to justification with a load of money. Being famous (not that I am) does me no go in the eyes of God. It is only my belief in Him that allows me to be justified. In fact, my justification thanks to belief in Him is really in spite of all that I might do or have.
“3For what does the Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.’ 2For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God.” — Romans 4:3&2 (ESV)
All that Abraham had was of nothing in the eyes of God. Abraham could have been boasting to all that he had and did in the world and where the world may have been impressed, he would not and did not impress God. It was through his belief in God that Abraham was counted as righteous and for which God justified him.
I am the same. It is not what I do or what I have that makes me who I am in the eyes of God. It is my belief in Him and only my belief in Him. Yes, I do have work to do in His name and that should not be counted out, but it is in His name only after my belief and faith in Him. I do the works, as I have studied and written before, because of my justification not to earn it.
What are you doing to be justified by God? Are you out there working yourself ragged to “earn” your justification in the eyes of God? What if you simply believed in Him and turned your faith to Him and then did the works because of your justification?
Trevor's Thoughts 