Romans 10:3 «“For being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.”»

Faith is easily exercised on our part when it concerns God’s faithfulness toward mankind in general.

It is believing God when He is about to do something according to His Word. We confidently lay hold of the promises in Scripture that are beneficial to our lives.

“I know God can do it, as He has promised. I know He will not fail me, as He has said.”

But what about your personal commitment and obedience to His Word?

Do you believe in His judgment against unrepentant sinners?

If you truly believe, you will not continue in sin while presuming that grace will abound.

Do you believe in His wrath against all forms of disobedience?

Do you understand that He will fulfill His promise that those who do not believe in Him will not enter His rest?

Many say, “How can I do this and sin against my family?” But true obedience asks, “How can I do this and sin against God?”

This is the kind of faith required to be declared righteous before God.

Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him as righteousness.

Noah believed God and built an ark when there was no sign of rain, and God counted him as righteous in his generation.

Enoch walked with God and was taken without experiencing death. Nothing is impossible with God for those who believe.

This kind of faith demonstrated by the patriarchs is what is lacking in our generation, resulting in the proliferation of unrighteousness.

Jesus said, “If anyone desires to be My disciple, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me.”

These are divine principles that have remained effective since the days of Enoch, Noah, and Abraham. God’s principles remain unchanged across generations.

Abraham denied himself the comfort of his father’s house. As the firstborn, he left his inheritance and journeyed to an unknown land to establish a covenant with God.

He took up his cross by obeying God’s command, even to the point of being willing to offer his only son, foreshadowing what would come: the Lamb on Calvary, as he declared, “On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.”

He followed God fully and rejoiced, for he saw the day of Christ.

However, in this generation, people readily believe God for miracles related to their needs, yet resist Him when He calls them to forsake the sin that causes their problems.

We believe in His power to make the impossible possible, but we often reject His judgment against sin.

When it is time to present our bodies as living sacrifices on His altar, we become hesitant. We replace obedience with offerings, attempting to compensate with money and prayers.

Who among us can demonstrate the faith of the widow of Zarephath—the faith that says, “Serve me first,” even when it is her last meal meant to sustain her and her son before death?

That is the kind of faith Jesus required of the rich young ruler—not to give to Him, but to give to the poor. Yet he failed, choosing wealth over righteousness.

Had he obeyed at that moment, he would have been counted as righteous.

Jesus described this generation as perverse and faithless because they recognize His works but do not understand His ways.

They can interpret the weather, but cannot discern the time of His visitation.

We believe in His works, but we do not walk in His ways. We abandon the truth and embrace deception, becoming wise in our own eyes but foolish before God.

The cost of righteousness is faith in God and His Word—knowing Him and His ways. Many witnessed His works but refused to follow His ways.

They witness deliverance from problems but refuse to obey his commandments. Such people are described as a perverse and faithless generation.

Prayer: Father Lord, make me righteous, for I believe in You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.