DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 2018 RECKONED RIGHTEOUS TEXT: ROMANS 4:1-15

DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 2018

RECKONED RIGHTEOUS

TEXT: ROMANS 4:1-15

Key Verse: “For what saith the scriptures? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness” (Romans 4:3)_

The point of justification by faith is made in the John Wesley’s life changing experience in Aldersgate Street in May 17, 1738. He acknowledged that he has become a true believer through justification by faith since the previous March and yet he knew he lacked something and was hungry for it. But at that meeting, he said, “I felt my heart strangely warmed…” He had believed before, but now he had an assurance; he was given this direct, immediate, overwhelming experience and testimony by the Spirit, and his ministry was transformed. He said that before this experience, he had had the faith of a servant, but now it was that of a son.

Justification is a legal standing with God, based upon Christ’s death and resurrection, and our faith in Him. It means to look at someone guilty and declare that he is now innocent, righteous and free. The record of offence has been wiped away.

Some religious dogmas fail to recognize the difference between working for salvation and working from salvation. We do not work in order to receive salvation; rather, we work because we have already received it. God works salvation in us by justification and we work it out in sanctification (Philippians 2:12,13). But neither justification nor sanctification can be merited by works; they are given by grace. Therefore, someone who is truly saved will manifest good works. If there is no good works present, then there is no reason to believe that true saving faith is present. “Faith without works is dead” (James 2:26)

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Repentance, not penance, is required for justification

COVER to COVER: NUMBERS 28-30._

PONDER:
1. The immeasurable depth of grace is manifested in justification. A repentant sinner is declared righteous or becomes a saint as soon as there is a personal faith in and acceptance of what Jesus did on the cross. v5
2. Those who have some sort of confidence in their self righteousness cannot have this experience v2.
3. This blessed experience is open to all who put their trust in Christ alone and nothing else or nothing less. v9
4. Can it be assumed by faith? NO. The evidence of receiving forgiveness and justification is righteousness within and cleansing from sin. If sin is cleansed by the blood of Jesus, then there is absence of it in the heart. Sure!
5. There is an unmistakable exit from a life of struggling with sin into a life of total freedom from sin.

HYMN:
Out of my bondage, Sorrow and night

1. Out of my bondage, sorrow and night,
Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;
Into Thy freedom, gladness and light,
Jesus, I come to Thee.
Out of my sickness into Thy health,
Out of my want and into Thy wealth,
Out of my sin and into Thyself,
Jesus, I come to Thee.

2 Out of my shameful failure and loss,
Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;
Into the glorious gain of Thy cross,
Jesus, I come to Thee.
Out of earth's sorrows into Thy balm,
Out of life's storms and into Thy calm,
Out of distress to jubilant psalm,
Jesus, I come to Thee.

3 Out of unrest and arrogant pride,
Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;
Into Thy blessed will to abide,
Jesus, I come to Thee.
Out of myself to dwell in Thy love,
Out of despair into raptures above,
Upward for aye on wings like a dove,
Jesus, I come to Thee.

4 Out of the fear and dread of the tomb,
Jesus I come, Jesus I come;
Into the joy and light of Thy home,
Jesus, I come to Thee.
Out of the depths of ruin untold,
Into the peace of Thy sheltering fold,
Ever Thy glorious face to behold,
Jesus, I come to Thee.

PRAYER POINTS:
1. Lord, I am tired of my struggling to live righteously. I surrender to you. Give me a miracle of justification and heaven sent righteousness.
2. Lord, give me power to sustain my freedom from sin and grow in grace.
3. Pray for any religious member of your family not yet saved to see the light.
4. Pray for your Church members not yet saved to have repentant hearts from sin and self righteousness.