Daily Journal: 16 August

Justified and Blessed

By Faith

Galatians 3:9 (NIV)

So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of earth.

As a believer in Jesus Christ, the son of God, my belief is established by faith. The promise of the gospel from God to Abraham and Abraham’s obedience and expressed faith made him righteous; it came before the law was handed down to Moses. The law revealed what sin is, so we would know.

I cannot rely on following the law (i.e. the ten commandments) to justify me because that alone doesn’t make me righteous; it just makes me aware of my sin and my need to be made righteous. The law is not based on faith (Galatians 3:10-14); our faith is based on Jesus Christ, who took on the curse of sin, which was revealed to Abraham through his test of faith with his son Isaac, and who believed by faith.

Genesis 24:7 (NIV)

 “The Lord, the God of heaven, who brought me out of my father’s household and my native land and who spoke to me and promised me on oath….

Abraham believed (had faith in) God’s promise on oath because Abraham believed in who God is. Without first believing in who God is we cannot live by faith. When we open our hearts and minds to who God is, we can open our hearts and minds to Jesus Christ and the new covenant God promised to Abraham that would come, and be established in Him by faith.

Because I rely on faith through Jesus Christ, and believe by faith God’s word is true, I receive by faith Galatians 3:9; that I am blessed, my son is blessed, and you are blessed if you believe that you are made righteous through Jesus Christ, by faith.

We are justified and blessed by faith.