Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness. David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the one to whom God credits righteousness apart from works: “Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord will never count against them.” Rom. 4:4-8
Dear heavenly Father, this Scripture contradicts everything we assume about the way life is “supposed to work”. We expect to get what’s coming to us. We demand fairness—an honest return for our labor, time, and sweat. But the gospel flies in the face of conventionality, predictability, and normalcy… for which we are eternally grateful.
Thank you for not being fair with us. Thank you for being outrageously generous, immeasurably kind, and scandalously good. What we could never earn—your perfect righteousness, you’ve credited to us as a gift. What we fully deserve—to be dealt with according to the wages of our sin, you’ll never do so. What we cannot imagine—that you would justify ungodly people (like me), you’ve joyfully and legally done.
Because of Jesus’ once-and-for-all finished work, our transgressions are forgiven (all of them); our sins are covered (every one of them); and you’ll never hold us guilty for any of our trespasses (not one of them). In our Scripture of the day, King David called such people “Blessed“; we call them rich beyond all measure.
Thank you for reconciling us to yourself through Jesus, and for placing us in your now for forever favor. Thank you for, not only removing all condemnation for our sins, but for replacing deserved judgment with your exuberant jubilation. Thank you for not just welcoming us, but for wanting us. Though we’re glad to “go to heaven one day,” we’re thrilled you already delight in us fully this day.
By the power of the Holy Spirit, drive the gospel—this gospel, deeper and deeper into our hearts. It’s the only gospel that will free us to live and love to your glory. So very Amen we pray, in Jesus’ trustworthy and triumphant name.
