From: "Phil Rembleski" <PHIl@rescuechurchofchrist.org>

To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"

Cc:

Sent: Fri, Jan 10, 2025 at 5:50 AM

Subject: 1-10-25 THOUGHTS

1-10-25   THOUGHTS

It is God who gives us peace with Himself!  In the 4th chapter of Romans, a special word is used a number of times to tell us something about God and our faith.  Depending on the translation, the word is counted, reckoned, imputed, and accounted.  A reading from the KJV finds all of these words used for the same Greek word.  In verse 22, Abraham’s faith was made something in fact that was not true.  He could not be righteous!  But GOD MADE IT SO BY IMPUTING!  God “called into existence that which did not exist.”   When God counts or imputes...  IT IS!   Read all of Romans 4 carefully.  It’s a delightful treasure!

Rom 4:17-25  ESV   as it is written, "I have made you the father of many nations" —  in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist.  18  In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, "So shall your offspring be." 19  He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah’s womb.  20  No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God,  21  fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. 22  That is why his faith was "counted to him as righteousness." 23  But the words "it was counted to him" were not written for his sake alone,  24  but for ours also.  It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, 25  who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.
Rom 5:1  ESV Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

My Prayer:
O God, how great You are and how wonderful are Your ways.  By Your doing, You make us what we could never be.  You count us as holy so that we can live in Your presence. You give us peace with Yourself.  Only You can do this, and You do it continually, Father.  Magnify our gratefulness for Your grace and mercy and love.  How blessed we are to be Your children.  We long for eternity with You.   In the name of our Savior,   Amen.