Genesis 15:6
“And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.”

We are quick to believe in what God can do. Still, we remain confused and in disbelief about what is demanded of us.

Joseph was counted as righteous even in slavery, when his family was absent, because he believed in the consequences of disobedience to the Lord’s commandments.

The Bible says that demons believe that God is one, and they tremble. Does their belief make them righteous before God?

No. They may believe that God is one, but they do not reverence Him. This is the difference between believers and unbelievers.

As a believer, if you believe that there is God but don’t give Him reverence or honour his word, no matter your knowledge of the Bible or your work in his vineyard, you are not better than unbelievers; you’re unrighteous before him.

Unbelievers also believe that God is one. They want to find their way into His presence by performing religious rituals, but they do not know the way.

Even Christ said that many would confess His name and acknowledge that He is the Christ, but they do so deceptively, to gain a crowd and lead people to hell. Does that make them righteous?

This kind of faith is not different from that of demons, who know but refuse to acknowledge His supremacy.

Everyone wants to claim the blessing of Abraham. Everyone wants to walk with God like Enoch and be taken to heaven without dying. But who among us is ready to bear the cross, deny self, and follow Him?

This is the sacrifice we need to make on our side to be among His followers.

Are we ready to forsake the world and separate ourselves like Father Abraham?

Are we ready to give up our pleasures in the process of following Him, like Noah, who built an ark but did not know when the promise of rain would be fulfilled?

Noah waited for hundreds of years for the promise to come to pass. He was mocked and ridiculed by the people of his time, but he was not discouraged.

This is the kind of faith God is demanding from us to please Him. It is by pleasing God that our righteousness is confirmed before Him, not by pleasing ourselves.

Jesus told Thomas that it was when he saw Him that he believed, but He said, “Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.” We are counted as righteous the moment we believe that Jesus is Lord and understand that we must obey and submit to His authority.

“Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD.” We cannot work our way to God, but only believe in what Jesus has done. That is how we come to Him and obtain our inheritance.

Prayer: Father, make me worthy to stand in your presence and not be ashamed, in Jesus’ name, amen