RIGHTEOUSNESS IS CREDITED TO US NOT EARNED BY US

Proclamation:

"Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.  This is why 'it was credited to him as righteousness.'  The words 'it was credited to him' were written not for him alone, but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness, for us who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.  He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification."  Romans 4:20-25 (NIV)

Explanation:

Under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God the Apostle Paul wrote these words in a letter to the believers in the church at Rome.  Paul used Abraham as an example to prove his point that we are justified by faith alone and not by works.  Abraham, the father of the faithful, was not a sin free man, but righteousness was credited to him because of his belief and his faith in God. (Genesis 15:6)

Application:
It is not our previous sins that get in the way of our being used by God, but it is our disbelief and our lack of faith, or our insufficient faith, that gets in the way.  Our righteousness is not something we earned or worked for, it is credited to us by God because of our belief and faith in Him.  Our faith is weak because we do not exercise it enough or very often.  We need to trust in God and step out on faith more often and let God use us as an example to others of what He can do for those who believe.

THOSE WHO HAVE FAITH ARE BLESSED

Proclamation:

"Consider Abraham: 'He believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.'  Understand, then, that those who believe are children of Abraham.  The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: 'All nations will be blessed through you.'  So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith."  Galatians 3:6-9 (NIV)

Explanation:

These Holy Spirit inspired words were written by the Apostle Paul to the believers in Galatia.  He told them that they were not blessed because they obeyed the law.  He said that they were blessed because of their faith in God, just as Abraham, the father of the faithful, was blessed.

Application:

Those of us who believe in God and have faith in God are blessed by God, just as Abraham, who is considered the father of the faithful, was blessed.  We are justified by our faith just as Abraham was justified by his faith.  Abraham believed in God and righteousness was credited to him.  All of the blessings that we receive are because of Jesus Christ.  Salvation is not possible through faith in any other but Jesus, The Christ.  Jesus said, "No man comes to The Father except through Me." (John 14:6)