THURSDAY June 25, 2020

Father of Many Nations

…(as it is written, “I have made you a father of many nations”) in the presence of Him whom he believed—God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did….
Romans 4:17

Abraham received a promise––he would be the father of many nations (Genesis 17:5). Even though Abraham was old and past the age of having children, he believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. The word calls in this verse is a reference to “our sinful nature and our need for justification.” God declares sinners to be righteous through Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross.

Christians need to know their position in Christ. They are standing and hidden in Christ––never to be removed from their relationship with Him. Colossians 3:2-3 describes the change needed in our affections: Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. Believers in Christ are to walk by faith in obedience to God’s Word, denying themselves, knowing that they are no longer of this world. Christians are to live consecrated lives so they can prepare themselves to meet Jesus, their eternal King!

Jesus paid the price for us on the Cross. In eternity, believers shall truly recognize all that Jesus has done for them. The Cross has kept me close to Him. When I think of the Cross of Christ, I remember what Jesus said in Matthew 16:24: “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” This has been the theme for my life. Daily picking up my Cross brings me to the grace of God. When I sin, I want to immediately repent so I can have the grace of God working in me and with me forever and ever.

Take your Christian life seriously and thank God for what He has done and is doing in your life. God will never stop molding and shaping you until the day you go to be with the Lord. Always remember, it is the grace of God that has made us who we are today.

Saving faith is an immediate relation to Christ, accepting, receiving, and resting upon Him alone, for justification, sanctification, and eternal life by virtue of God’s grace.
~C.H. Spurgeon~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!