HAPPY ARE THOSE WHOSE SINS THE LORD WILL NEVER COUNT AGAINST THEM

SCRIPTURE:

“Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. 5 However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness. 6 David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the one to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:  7 “Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.  8 Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord will never count against them.” (Romans 4:4—8)

OBSERVATION:

            Paul wrote to the believers in Rome about the sinful human condition.  No one is righteous, no not one.  For everyone sins and fallen short of God’s glory.  He emphasizes the importance of faith and trusting God, who justifies the ungodly.   Paul says no one can work to earn their righteousness.  The word justifies means to be declared or made righteous before God.  Paul’s point is that NO ONE can work to earn and be made righteous on merit.  If someone works, his paycheck will not be credited as a gift.  No one earns a gift.  A gift is something given by someone.  So, our paycheck is not credited as a gift but as an obligation of the company we work for.  The company is obligated to pay the wages.

            But with God, I can’t earn any of his gifts.  My whole life is a gift from God.  God justifies me or declares me justified and being made righteous, not because I deserved or He is obligated to pay me, but because God credit it to me to be righteous.  God made me righteous so that I could receive his gift.  Our faith is credited as righteousness when we receive and trust God’s gift of mercy.  My justification is a gift that cannot be earned but only by faith, accepted, and received. 

            Paul pointed to what King David said; “Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.   Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord will never count against them.”  God dealt with my sin; he has forgiven me.  God covered my sins through the death of Jesus, his gift for my justification.  David knew what it was to be forgiven and covered by God’s mercy and love.  He was not a perfect person.  David often sinned majorly; however, God forgave and covered his sins.  Moreover, David said, Blessed are those whose sin the Lord will never count against them.  God did three things according to King David for my justification. 

            God FORGAVE my sins, he COVERED my sins, and we will not COUNT or hold my sins against me.  That is justification, and I am so grateful for the reminder of how BLESSED I am to have God forgive my sins, cover my sins, and not count any of my sins against me.  Justification means ‘JUST AS IF’ I have never sinned in the eyes of God.  What a blessing and a message of joy to my ears to be reminded of all that Jesus went through to make me “just as if” I had not sinned. 

APPLICATION:

            So often forget how Christ justified me and made me righteous.  I am happy that the Apostle Paul reminded me to know who I am in Christ.  I can never earn any of God’s gifts.  My whole life is his gift to me.  I want to live my God and justify life as a gift to him daily.

PRAYER:

            Jesus, I am grateful for the reminder of how blessed I am for your salvation.  Thank you for forgiving, covering, and not counting my sins against me.  I am grateful for your love and mercy when I have fallen short of your grace.  Help me to walk as a blessed man whose sins have been forgiven, covered, and not counting against me.  Amen!