Counted

"It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord," Romans 4:24.

(?!) What's the it that will be counted? Whatever the it was that was counted for Abraham. Yeah, well, ok, so what was the it that was counted for Abraham? His faith. What faith? That God would do what God promised he would do. Abraham saw the impotence of his and Sarah's mortal constraints, yet believed in God. In hope against hope. Just so, for us who steadfastly believe in God raising Jesus up from the dead, that same faith will be counted to us, too. Hmm. Faith will be counted for what? Being right with God. Peace with God. Access to God's grace. Rejoicing in God's hope. Justification. Not by the law's works do we get right with God. By faith. Counted justified.

We meet with a brother or sister today overwhelmed that God delivered Jesus for our trespasses. And, believing together, we praise God with inexpressible joy (!) that he raised Jesus for our justification.