Taking Credit

I love the TV commercial where a famous quarterback is walking around town and encountering mistakes that people have made. He proceeds to tell each of them what he would have done instead. An NFL quarterback is himself always told by others what they would have done during the game, whether it be directly or through some media.

If we watch a football game from our easy chair and our team wins, we can be happy, but we can't take credit, even if the quarterback did what we would have done. The issue of works as it relates to is similar. Paul is saying to the Romans that we cannot take credit for our salvation, no matter what works we have done or will do. Paul's argument is based on the fact that "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness" (v. 3). In other words, from the beginning of the history of faith, works were not what gave people a relationship with the God of the Bible. Belief made the difference.

Do you believe, or are you trying to work your way into God's graces? Works will follow true belief. You would have something to boast about if works could save you (v. 2). Instead, God has made it possible for all to come into His kingdom through faith.

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Contributed by Michael Ullrich: mike@in-his-steps.com Michael has served in pastoral ministry since 1979. His weekly devotional column appears in numerous newspapers, magazines and online publications, as well as on his Web site. He and his wife, Bonita, have seven children.