Rev. Andrew Kuyvenhoven
"Abram believed the Lord; and he credited it to him as righteousness." —Genesis 15:6
Bible Reading
GENESIS 15:1-6Devotional
The coming of Christ divided the Jewish nation into two groups. A part of the children of Abraham accepted Jesus as the promised Messiah. But another part rejected him. An argument raged between these two groups. The issue was: Who were the real children of Abraham?
Paul, who was originally one of the Christ-rejecters but later became one of the Christ-confessors, was fond of quoting Genesis 15:6 as proof that those who accepted Christ were the real children of Abraham. You see, Paul used to say, the good news of Christ requires all people to believe—only believe. The gospel is not a reward for what you have done; it's a report of what God has done. You must believe this message. Then you will be right with God. God accepts you not because you are so good but because he is so good. You aren't right with God because you have accomplished something; you are righteous because Christ has accomplished everything. Only believe!
And as for Abraham, Paul pointed to Genesis 15:6: Righteousness is "credited" to Abraham in the same way it is credited to us, namely, by faith. "Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham" (Gal. 3:7; see also Rom. 4).
Now the children of Abraham have become as numerous as the stars in the sky. Thus Abraham's hope has been fulfilled. Through Christ we share in Abraham's blessing.
Belief in the gospel is the only gate through which one is admitted to God's people. That people is made up of all who walk by faith in God until the last promise has been fulfilled.
REFLECTIONS
What would you tell someone who asks you why you believe?
Andrew Kuyvenhoven's Daylight, a modern devotional classic, was originally published by Paideia Press in 1977. This updated edition is copyright 2009 by Faith Alive Christian Resources. You can order a copy of this revised version of the book directly from the publisher.
A man of many accomplishments, Andrew Kuyvenhoven is probably best known for his contributions to Today (formerly The Family Altar), a widely-used monthly devotional booklet associated with the Back to God Hour. Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations for this updated edition of Daylight are from the Holy Bible: Today's New International Version copyright 2001, 2005 by the International Bible Society.
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