The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Romans 4:1-5, “What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has found?
2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about; but not before God.
3 For what does the Scripture say? ‘And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.’
4 Now to the one who works, his wage is not reckoned as a favor, but as what is due.
5 But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned as righteousness.”

Has it ever occurred to you that if salvation were accomplished by works, some would never ever be able to be saved? I’m always touched emotionally when I see the television ads from children’s hospitals. Yes, it’s encouraging to know that there are those who truly care about crippled children. But some of them will never be completely cured of their maladies. How then could they be spiritually saved, if salvation were dependent upon some kind of physical works?

The LORD God has fixed all of that by providing salvation by faith instead of by works. Paul speaks of Abraham in our verses above. “Abraham believed God.” Later, in this same Letter to the Romans, Paul wrote, “So, faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the Word of Christ” (10:17). All of that simply assures us that salvation is not a matter of who we are or what we physically do; it depends solely upon whether we believe in Jesus Christ and are trusting Him as our LORD and Savior. That takes in everybody!

None of what Paul says regardiing faith is intended to discourage us from living rightously. Attending church, reading the
Scriptures, praying, paying tithes –doing all kinds of good works is commendable. Still, those works are the products of
salvation, not the means to it. Don’t get the cart before the horse. We were all physically born in sin; that’s why Jesus said, “You
must be born again!” –this time, spiritually! And it comes by believing that His death on the cross and His resurrection prove He
is able and willing to save us. Repentance is telling Him that we are sorry for our sin. Faith is trusting Him to be faithful to His promise to save us when we repent and believe. Have you done that? Have you confessed your sins and asked the LORD to forgive you? Pray and trust Him and see what He will do for your life! I am praying for you.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom