Mind the Gap

A gap of time

And God brought Abram outside and said, “Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them, “Then he said to him, “So shall your descendants be.” And he believed the Lord; and he reckoned it to him as righteousness.” (Geneses 15:5-6)

 

“For what does the scripture say?” Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.” (Romans 4:3)

 

“But the words, “It was reckoned to him,” were written not for his sake alone, but for ours also. It will be reckoned to us who believe in him that raised from the dead, Jesus, our Lord, who was put to death for our trespasses and raised for your justification.” (Romans  4:23-25)

 

We are confronted with the same as was Abraham… a gap of time.

 

Because Abraham believed the Lord about what was promised, but would not live to see, God reckoned his faith and belief to him as righteousness.

 

Today we are told of Jesus who was born in Bethlehem more than 2000 years ago, who lived and walked on the earth, who was put to death on a cross to pay our unpayable blood debt to God, and who was buried. On the third day God raised Jesus from the dead, and he ascended into heaven. 

 

All these events were accomplished in strict accordance with what was written in the scriptures, that the scriptures be fulfilled. Jesus is the only Son of the one true living God, and He is the God of Israel.

 

Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:-25-26)

 

After the death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus, Stephen later testified before the council, “Behold I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing at the right hand of God.” (Acts 7:56)

That testimony cost Stephen his life, but his words were recorded for others to read and know.

 

We were not there to see, hear, and witness all these events recorded and kept for us through the generations to this day, that we might know Jesus, believe in Him, and have life in Him. We either believe in Him by faith, or we choose not to believe in Him.

 

Because we, as individuals who believe in Jesus, God reckons our belief to us as righteousness. The Bible tells us this.

 

“Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord imputes no iniquity, and in his spirit there is no deceit.” (Psalm 32:1-2)

 

“So also David pronounces a blessing upon the man to whom God reckons righteousness apart from works: “Blessed are those whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not reckon his sin.” (Romans 4:6-8)

 

The Oddblock Station Agent