Are you a legalist? Do you believe in following the law to the T? Do you follow the rules? Do you desire rules in your workplace and watch diligently to see if others are following them? Do you complain when others do not follow the rules? Are you the same way when it comes to following Jesus?
Let’s get this out of the way first, there is nothing wrong with following rules so long as the rules are for safety. On the other hand, some rules are simply made to please some people and take no account of others. Also, you cannot legislate morality. It simply doesn’t work.
In fact, the Apostle Paul is states morality cannot be legislated in the verse that follows today’s passage. So, what is he saying in today’s passage. He is saying that Abraham’s faith is what made him righteous. It wasn’t his ability to follow the law. It wasn’t his ability to follow rules. It wasn’t because he never lied (Abraham lied more than once to a king). No, it was Abraham’s faith in God that made him righteous.
It we were required to follow God’s law to be righteous, we all would fail. God would end up without any human being able to earn his way into heaven. It is believing in God’s promises, just as Abraham did, that qualifies us to be with God. Unfortunately, we spend too much time complaining about people to break the rules and not near enough time on building our faith and their faith. As our faith grows, we grow closer to God and do a better job of following his commands, even though we still fall short of perfection. Faith is what matters.
I pray we all give up being a legalist. I pray we stop complaining about the failure of others. I pray each one of us seek to build our faith and the faith of others. Stop being a legalist. Stop complaining about others. Put your faith in God’s promises. Build your faith. Build up others faith.
Romans 4:13-14 For the promise that he would inherit the world did not come to Abraham or to his descendants through the law but through the righteousness of faith. For if it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void.
Marty Pressey 