Friday, August 4, 2023
“Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin” (Romans 4:6-8 KJV).
What is this “blessedness?” How can we have it?
The Galatians had originally received the Gospel of Grace when the Apostle Paul came into central Turkey in Acts chapters 13 and 14. These pagan idolaters learned about the Lord Jesus Christ dying for their sins, being buried, and being raised again for their justification (1 Corinthians 15:3,4). Nonetheless, they did not stay with this Good News; they therefore drifted away to a works-religion message.
“I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:6-9).
“Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods. But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years. I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain…. Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me. Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?” (Galatians 4:8-11,15,16).
Once joyful saints thankful for Paul’s ministry and God’s grace (God’s riches at Christ’s expense), they chose to return to works-religion (perform to obtain the blessings). In so doing, they became miserable (losing their “blessedness”) and made Paul their opponent….
333 Words of Grace 