Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,
In the sixteenth century the Protestant Reformers identified and defended (often at the cost their lives) what they referred to as ‘the article of a standing or falling Church.’ By this they meant that one doctrine or Biblical truth that served as the very foundation for the Church, and without which the Church would all but cease to exist. That one doctrine is ‘justification,’ or, as the Reformers further articulated it, the justification of the sinner by grace alone, through faith alone, in the work of Christ alone, to the glory of God alone. This grand phrase is nothing less than the Gospel itself, and without a robust commitment to its proclamation the Church ceases to be faithful to the Savior and His Kingdom.
I suspect that when most of us reflect on the doctrine of justification we naturally think of the New Testament, and especially the way Paul so powerfully expresses it. Yet, this most essential truth actually surfaces about 2000 years before Christ was born. We initially discover it in the words of Genesis 15:6–“Then he believed in the Lord; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness.” In this verse the “he” of course is Abraham, and we learn here that this former idolater from “Ur of the Chaldeans” placed his faith (which was itself a gift from God) in the Lord. And this act of faith was “reckoned” or counted to Abraham “as righteousness.” Here, then, is the Gospel in one blessed verse from the Old Testament!
On Sunday we will once again examine this most important passage of Scripture and we will trace how this doctrine of justification flows from the life of Abraham up to the life and ministry of Jesus. Take some time this weekend to read Genesis 15:1-6 along with Romans 3:21-31 and 4:1-5.
I love you all, and can’t wait to see you on Sunday morning!
In His grace,
Mike