SAME FAVOR AS JESUS
Romans 4:16: “Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so
that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not
only to those who are of the law but also to those who are of the faith of
Abraham. He is father of us all.”
Ten year old Jeremy asked Brad, his
classmate and best friend, “How did you celebrate Labor Day?”
Brad chucked before saying, “Mom
literally packed a basket with steaks, corn-on-the-cob and potatoes. Dad loaded our car up with grill stuff. We went to a state park and had an old-fashioned
picnic!”
Jeremy thought about Brad’s family. He said, “Isn’t it weird that we can all be
kids in God’s family—and yet are still so different?”
Jeremy thought about how “lucky”
they are. Loving families—very blessed.
He learned about God’s grace last Sunday. Grace made him feel special. He did nothing to earn such underserved favor
from God. It’s like he had access to a
computer program because he knew the password.
Faith in Jesus is the password!
Faith in Jesus is the world’s
password for getting God’s favor.
Because of Jesus’ finished work on the cross, His followers receive every
need, extra benefits and many wants.
Jesus came for the Jewish nation first, but they denied Him. Now everyone who has faith in Jesus—believing
Jesus is Lord—is considered Abraham’s offspring.
Believers today claim Abraham’s
faith, and are rightfully covered under the promise of offspring that God
made.
Jesus ushered in a new covenant of
grace. So Believers are covered under
the same favor that the Father bestows on His beloved Son! Now that we’re qualified, how do we live
assured of that favor?
Simply believe and confess what God
has done—and is still doing for you every day.
Take Home Nugget
Ruth was a Moabite woman who married a man
from Judah. After his death, she stayed
with his mother, Naomi. Naomi introduced
her to the Hebrew God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Ruth grew in faith believing in Naomi’s
God. Together, they returned to Naomi’s
home town. Ruth was favored by God. She married Boaz, they had a son named Obed—from
whose blood line produced David, and eventually, Jesus! (Ruth 4:22, Mathew 1:5). Ruth is the 8th book in the Bible’s
Old Testament.
Ruth was a Gentile whose faith in
God fell under the old covenant God made with Abraham. Yet God favored her as Abraham’s offspring because
of her faith. How much more will we—who are
under the new covenant of grace from Jesus—enjoy unmerited favor that God
brings! (Ephesians 1:3-6).
Praise God that He sees me as Abraham’s
offspring, and favors me the same as Jesus!
Adapted from a
devotion from “Daily Grace Ministries” by Joseph Prince. www.josephprinceministries@josephprince.org.
August 14, 2015.
J.D. Griffith
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