3 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.”

6 just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works:

16 Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may rest on 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 the father of us all.

24 but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in Him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord,

25 who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.

— Romans 4:3, 6, 16, 24-25

3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,

4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,

5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by His life.

— Romans 5:3-5, 10

Thoughts on Today’s Reading

Grace, mercy and love from Christ to you.

The book of Romans cited Old Testament examples to demonstrate that faith has always been God’s means to save sinners. Abraham, Israel’s founding patriarch, and David, Israel’s beloved king, looked forward in faith to Christ’s coming. Before the cross, all who believed God and looked forward in faith to the Messiah received God’s righteousness, even if the details were not fully understood. Believers today look back to the cross for salvation, united by the gospel and God’s unchanging path to salvation.

God’s beloved children, justified by God through faith, receive new privileges that are beyond fathom. God’s Spirit sanctifies and molds us into His character. He provides a previously unknown peace with God and foundation for peace with others and with circumstances. God’s Spirit enables believers to experience a new, loving bond with God instead of fear, softens angry hearts and helps believers stop fighting, and forgive others just as God forgave them, and reminds believers that God is in control of every situation. Certain of their eternal destiny, believers can bear suffering with hearts that rejoice in every situation and trust God fully. (inspired by BSF’s Study on Romans)