Friday, August 22, 2025

Alex Buabeng-Korsah

THEME: THE FAITH THAT RECEIVES

THEME SCRIPTURE: “But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness.”  — Romans 4:5 (NKJV)

PREPARATORY QUESTION

1. Can a man's crime be justified solely by his belief in Christ’s finished work?

In a brief moment, think about this: "The feeling that arose in you when you earned your degree,  or passed a competitive interview, earned your first salary, or won a trophy in a competition."-  The feeling was great. You worked hard; you deserved it. And it was given to you.

The gospel confronts a deeply ingrained instinct in us: the need to prove ourselves. We want to earn acceptance, measure up, and bring something to the table. But Paul’s words shatter this illusion— “to him who does not work but believes...” 

That is the essence of saving faith: it doesn’t earn—it receives.

God doesn’t justify the godly—He justifies the ungodly. Not because of their potential, but because of His mercy and grace. Martin Luther called this the “great exchange”: our sin laid on Christ, and His righteousness accounted to us—by faith alone.

This is the scandal of grace: that a broken, guilty person who trusts in Jesus is counted righteous. "Just like that," you may ask? Aha! And such a guilty man is fully accepted, fully forgiven, and fully loved. Not someday. Not after improvement. Now. Instantly!

Faith, then, is not mere belief in facts about God. It is leaning the whole weight of our hope on Him. It is the open hand that receives what Christ alone has given.

And this truth doesn’t just save us—it shapes how we live. When we stop striving to earn God’s love, we can begin living from it. When we trust His justification, we are freed from guilt, fear, and the exhausting pursuit of perfection.

As Charles Spurgeon once said, “You stand before God as if you were Christ, because Christ stood before God as if He were you.”

Beloved, the question still remains: Do you know what Christ alone has accomplished and freely given to you? Have you received these gifts with an open heart and arms? It is still not too late to receive the manifold graces of God.

Remain blessed.

FURTHER READING: Romans 4

Call to Salvation: Today is your day if you have not received salvation by turning over your life to Jesus Christ. Click here to do so.

QUESTION TO HELP YOU MEDITATE ON THE WORD

1. Am I living in the freedom of being justified by faith, or still trying to earn God’s approval?  
2. Do I view God as One who justifies the ungodly—or only the good?  
3. What would change if I truly believed I am already accepted in Christ?

PRAYER  

Father, thank You for justifying me not because I am good, but because Jesus is good.  I receive Your help to trust You completely—to stop striving, and to start resting in Your finished work.  My faith in You, Lord, is real, not just in word but in how I live, free and forgiven in Your grace, in Jesus' precious name. Hallelujah!

One-Year Bible Reading Plan

Psalm 73; 1 John 1; 2 Chronicles 12