A Spiritual Résumé

Cassy Dahlsten

Central Truth

We will never meet God's standard no matter how hard we try, but Christ did so that we don't have to. Find freedom in faith alone.

Abraham Justified by Faith

1 What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” 4 Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. 5 And to the one who does not work but believes in^{1

4:5
Or but trusts; compare verse 24} him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, 6 just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works:

7 “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven,
and whose sins are covered;
8 blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.”

Footnotes

[1] 4:5 Or but trusts; compare verse 24

When applying for a new job, what's the one thing that is almost always requested from you? That's right, your résumé! For some, this can be a boost of confidence in what they've accomplished that might comfort them in how qualified they are for the position. For others, this might be defeating as they look at their résumé feeling they need to accomplish more and just don't measure up. Regardless of which end of the spectrum you land on, this list of qualifications can carry some weight in how we view ourselves, as well as how we might believe we are seen.

Thinking about my spiritual résumé, I can be quick to view God as a CEO who is pleased with me based on what I have or haven't accomplished. Man's works, however, have never been the means by which God is pleased, no matter how much or how little we have done. As stated in verse 3, all that Abraham did was believe God, and this alone is what allowed him to stand right with God.

Because of our sin, it's impossible for us to be good enough by our own merit, but, luckily, God doesn't expect us to. He doesn't ask us to do all the right things, but just to first acknowledge our inability to meet the standard on our own, believe that Christ met it for us through his death on the cross, and trust fully in who He is rather than in ourselves. When I become prideful in relying on my own abilities, I am living in the selfish belief that what I do matters more than what Christ has done. He is the only One who justifies the ungodly, and we have the choice to find freedom living dependently through faith in Him rather than in ourselves (verse 5). He doesn't look at our spiritual résumé, but He instead looks past our shortcomings and offers us forgiveness for our sin (verses 7-8). Let's rejoice and find freedom in this today!

This month's memory verse

10 as it is written:

“None is righteous, no, not one;
11 no one understands;
no one seeks for God.

– Romans 3:10–11

1. In what areas in your life do you tend to rely on your own works and accomplishments?

2. How do you think God sees you? Is this answer based on your own doing or His?

3. What other Scripture can you use to remind yourself of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ instead of by your good works (Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5; Hebrews 11:6; and many others)?