Abraham believed and it was counted to him righteousness (Gen 15:6). What does that mean exactly? Habakkuk 2:4 says, "“Look at the proud! They trust in themselves, and their lives are crooked. But the righteous will live by their faithfulness to God."
Nothing is more precious to God than our faith. For it is impossible to please God without faith. (Hebrews 11:6). Abraham believed that God would save him from hell by believing what God said. It wasn't his works that saved Abraham; his belief in God is why God counted him as a righteous person. Eph 2:8 says... "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves. It is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast."
There was a pagan jailer in charge of guarding the jail house that Paul and Silas were imprisoned. The jailer was asleep while Paul and Silas were singing praises to the Lord. Suddenly there was an earthquake that shook open ALL of the prison doors, and the chains fell off ALL the prisoners. When the jailer awoke, he thought that he was in big trouble because he thought all the prisoners fled. However, none of the people left, and Paul told the jailer that they were all accounted for. Paul saw that the jailer was about to kill himself with his own sword. The jailer was sure that when the upper brass found out the one in charge of the jail house was sleeping on the job that not only will he get fired, but executed! Paul told the man to put his sword away and relax. Everybody was still in their jail cells. Then the jailer called for a light, ran into where Paul was and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. And he brought them out and said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” Now here is the best part! Unlike the young rich ruler that asked Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life, and when Jesus, knowing his heart, told him to sell all of his possessions and follow Him, the rich young man was sad and left Jesus in unbelief. But, the bible tells us in Acts 16:32-34...32. "Then they, Paul and Silas, spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. 33. And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized. 34. Now when he had brought them into his house, he set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household."
The key is believe! Not only did the jailer believe in Jesus, but so did everyone that lived in his house.
It is impossible for us to please God if you cannot believe that He exists (Heb 11:6) and He is the rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Acts 10:34-35). We must admit that God is not dead, He is alive and both faithful and able to help and heal those who put their trust and hope in Him. He rejects the arrogant and proud who think they can help themselves (Habakkuk 2:4). He helps those who look up to Him for salvation. I did not say those who sit aloof and expect God to work for them (the rich young ruler); I said those who look up to Him in belief.
All of us must remember that God is not dead, He is surely alive and He is real!
Have a blessed day,
Kev
