~ written by Connie Dunmyer
Have you ever wondered about Abraham? Like… why him?
Abraham’s father was the one who originally set out from Ur to head toward Canaan. Abraham, et al. went with him. And ultimately they settled in Harran, not making it to the goal of Canaan [Genesis 11:27-32].
How often do I do that? I make a plan. Set a goal. It may even be something the Lord has put on my heart. But then I “settle” for something else, perhaps more 'comfortable' – something other than the goal.
But at some point, God spoke to Abraham. I don’t know if it was before or after his father died. It shows up in the following chapter of the Bible, but it starts with the words “The Lord had said to Abram…” (past tense), which makes me think that God may have spoken to him even years before. Maybe Abram had even been the one to convince his father to set out from Ur to begin with. Obviously I have nothing to base that on. But it is an interesting thought. Abram took seriously the promise God gave him, and he also took his family seriously. He brought those he loved INTO the promise WITH him.
Romans 4:2-3 “If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about — but not before God. What does Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.’”
Was Abraham justified by works? Well, no. Abraham didn’t DO anything that God would look at him and say “Hey – he’s a good guy. I will put my righteousness upon him”. Nope. It was a gift. And within that gift – that he “owned” by believing in God and believing God’s words – it was credited to him as righteousness. So as if he were actually righteous. “I” am not actually righteous – but because I believe that the blood of Jesus has been shed for me – Jesus’ actual righteousness is credited to me. I have nothing and I am nothing EXCEPT for Jesus. Period.
Romans 4:4 “Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation.”
This is truly a fascinating statement. We all work. And most assuredly we all think we DESERVE our pay. But that’s not even the point. The point is, paying someone for work (or works) WOULD BE an obligation. So am I (as a human being) really saying (when I try to live by works), that I would PREFER, or that it should even be POSSIBLE that GOD IS OBLIGATED to me in any way?!
Why would I ever even want that? What could I ever possibly bring to the table besides weeds or dirty rags? Thus I could never even receive an obligation wage. So that is not a good plan at all.
Buuuuttt…
ENTER JESUS!
Psalm 32:2 “Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them…”
Revelation 5:9 “And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.”
HEY … That’s ME!!
Oh Wow!! How great is our God!
Still, I find myself asking, how can faith really be enough?
Matthew 22:37 “Jesus replied, ‘You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’”
Augustine said, “Love God, and do what you please.” That sounds like a dangerous statement. But really, if we love God as we ought to, then we will want to do the things that please God. If we really love the Lord our God with all our hearts, souls, and minds, then we will not want to have another god before Him, worship an idol, or take His name in vain. And if we love our neighbors as we love ourselves, then we won’t want to steal from them, kill them, or covet something that belongs to them. The idea is that if we can get this basic truth of loving God down, then everything else will find the proper place. ~ Pastor Greg Laurie
Then back to Romans…
Romans 4:10 “Under what circumstances was it credited? Was it after he was circumcised, or before? It was not after, but before!”
Again – I find this argument of Paul's fascinating! How many things could I replace the word “circumcised” for! We all have things that we regard as holy – but in effect, causes us to continue looking toward the “law”. What are the holy things, the “circumcision”, in my walk with Jesus that I may have actually turned into little idols?
This is not to say that it’s okay to sin. With Paul I say “God forbid”! But it’s like Pastor Greg was saying – as long as I am loving God with all my heart, soul, & mind (the totality of me) – true love – not fake words or sinful expression... but truly loving God with everything I know, and am, and the words of God I expose my mind to…. then I can simply “run with God” and do as my heart AND mind speak to me to do. Because I trust HIM to lead me, to stop me, to move me, to speak to me, and to discipline me.
This really is a lot to ponder. Because over time, I’ve tended to add layers to my “faith” . . . so much so, that it can sometimes no longer even resemble faith. These days, I spend my time with Jesus removing the layers – like peeling back an artichoke. I want to get rid of the layers of self, of law, of rules, of works. I want the Center, the Core, the Heart. I want ONLY the righteousness of Christ credited to my account.
Praise be to the Lamb of God – Who has taken away my world of sin! Hallelujah!! [John 1:29]
Please take a few minutes and listen to this clip of "The Man on the Middle Cross" from Alistair Begg. As you listen, consider the possible "artichoke leaves" that might need removing. For me this was a sharp knife cutting away what didn't belong.
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© 2026: Connie F. Dunmyer, All Rights Reserved.