“How joyful are those whose lawless acts are forgiven and whose sins are covered!” (Romans 4:7)
Though the Apostle Paul is quoting King David, from the Book of Psalms, this verse is applicable for us, today. The context of Romans chapter four is faith. Abraham was justified, or found not guilty of sin, by believing and trusting God. When God told Abraham to get up and move to a land far away from his own, Abraham did not argue with God. He got up and went, no questions asked. Faith drove Abraham to immediate, radical, costly obedience to what God had ordered him to do. God blessed Abraham for his immediate, radical, costly obedience.
Today’s verse is one of those that aught to make us jump for joy because it speaks of God’s amazing grace and love. Let’s take a look.
- “How joyful…” – this is a type of joy that cannot be extinguished by any difficult circumstance we might find ourselves in. It is a joy that comes from knowing God.
- “are those…” – these are the people who by faith:
– believe and accept the fact that they are sinners in need of a Savior (Romans 3:23).
– believed and accept the fact that Jesus was sent by God die on a cross for the forgiveness of their sins (John 3:16-18; Romans 5:8).
– believe and accept the fact that Jesus was buried and rose again from the dead to give them eternal life (John 11:25).
– believe and accept the fact that this is a free gift from God, something that cannot be earned, nor bought (Ephesians 2:8-9).
– made a commitment with Christ to seek Him every day, follow Him no matter where He leads them, and strive to live in immediate, radical, costly obedience to His commands (Matthew 7:21; Luke 6:46). - “whose lawless acts are forgiven…” – those who, by their faith (above), and God’s unmerited favor, have been forgiven for their willful disobedience to Him.
- “and whose sins are covered.” – and also who by faith have had their offenses towards God covered by the blood of Christ.
God also gives us assurance of our salvation, through faith when He says:
“I have written these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life (1 John 5:13 HCSB).”
Jesus also says:
“My sheep hear My voice, I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish—ever! No one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all. No one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one (John 10:27-30 HCSB).”
Friends, true joy comes from having the assurance that when the day comes for your life to end, you will pass from an eternal life in hell, to an eternal life in heaven, with Christ.
Would you like the same assurance of eternal life? Here’s how God says you can have it:
1. Recognize that you’re a sinner and thank Him for sending Jesus, His only Son, to die on the cross in order to pay the ultimate price for your sin (Romans 3:23; Romans 5:8) and raising Him from the dead in order to give you eternal life (John 3:16-18; John 11:25).
2. Tell Him, in your own words, that at this moment, you willfully and intentionally choose to stop living your life in rebellion against Him and choose to start living your life as His disciple; that you commit to seeking Him, every day; following Him, every day; and that you will strive to live in immediate, radical, costly obedience to Him and only Him, no matter the cost – even if it costs you your life (2 Corinthians 5:15; Romans 10:9-10). Then, do it.
This is the only way you can become God’s child (John 1:12) and experience the fullness of His love, goodness, joy, peace and perfect care. Do this right now! You will not regret it.
***Please, let me know if you have any questions***
In Christ’s love,
Phil Covone
Phil Covone's Blog 