Justification by Faith

Life Lessons: Justification by Faith

Genesis 15:1—17:27

SITUATION:  God promised descendants and land to the aging traveler, Abram. Despite God’s promise to him, nagging doubt caused Abram to waver between shortsighted compromise and obedient faith.

OBSERVATION:  God keeps his promises and rewards our obedient faith. When God promises to direct our paths, we can be confident he will carefully lead us.

INSPIRATION:  I grew up in Southern California and my favorite activity was swimming. There was only one time I had to be rescued. When I was in ninth grade I went with some older friends to Tamarack State Beach near Oceanside, California, for a day of bodysurfing. The waves were great that day. I decided to swim a little farther from shore in the hopes of catching some larger waves.

     I was so intent on catching the waves that I didn’t notice the waves were beginning to break in a pattern that can produce rip tides. As I was swimming farther out, I dove underneath a wave that was breaking right in front of me. Rather than immediately coming back up to the surface, I felt tremendous pressure pushing my body down and pulling me out to sea. I had no idea what was happening. My feet touched the bottom. I tried to push myself up but couldn’t. I was almost out of air and I panicked. I also prayed.

     I forgot what I said to God but obviously He heard me. Suddenly I found myself on the surface of the water. I was exhausted and afraid it would happen again. I heard a voice shouting to me. I turned towards the voice to see a lifeguard throwing a life preserver and hung on for dear life. With the rope in one hand the lifeguard pulled me in.

     When I made it to shore I was a bit embarrassed, but most of all I was grateful. The lifeguard said he had been watching me. He could see there was a rip tide condition and knew I wasn’t aware of it. Before I had gone under he was already swimming towards me to warn me and, if necessary, rescue me.

     Over the years I’ve realized that living the Christian life is a lot like the experience I had that day. Even though I wasn’t aware of it, the lifeguard had his eyes on me and knew I was moving into dangerous water. He was in the water before I needed him—just in case.

     God is our lifeguard. . . . God’s promises are like life preservers. They keep the soul from sinking into the sea of discouragement.

     When your perspective becomes distorted and your problems begin to consume your entire field of vision, you need a perspective preserver. When it feels like God has deserted you and you begin to get discouraged, you will find that God’s promises will always pull you out and bring you back to safety. 

APPLICATION:  Make a list of seven key promises to you from God’s Word and commit them to memory, one a day for a week. Make one promise your motto for the week. Have confidence that God will do what he said. Use the promise to share your faith with someone.

EXPLORATION:  Justification by Faith:  Romans 4; Galatians 3; Hebrews 11