The Unearned Gift

Written By Betty Predmore

ROMANS 4: 1-12

July 17

Imagine that you are at your favorite store. You see something that you have been wanting for years, but the price is still out of your reach. It is just too high for you to pay. How would you feel if someone who cared about you purchased that item, wrapped it in beautiful paper and added a bow, then gave it to you?

How special that would be! Owning it would be awesome, but the real beauty would come in the fact that it was given to you out of love and for free.

That is just what God does when he offers us the opportunity for salvation through faith. We don't earn it by any work we do or price we pay. We receive it simply through our belief in him.

This is the point Paul is speaking of in today's section of Romans. He is answering the age-old question... does the gospel agree with the teachings of the Old Testament, and he is using two of the greatest figures in the history of Israel to prove his point. God has made covenants with both Abraham and David. One lived centuries before the law was given, and the other lived many years after. One was justified before he was circumcised, and the other was justified after he was circumcised.

Once again, the conversation turns to circumcision and the Jews. This act was a sign to others that Jews were God's special people.

God gave this command to Abraham, but the ritual did not earn any reward for him. He had been blessed long before the ceremony of circumcision was introduced. It was by faith alone that Abraham found favor with God. This happened when he was 75 years old. The circumcision didn't occur until he was 99.

People are considered righteous, not by their works, but by their faith in a forgiving and gracious God. David mentioned this in his description of the happiness of those who are declared righteous without working for it:

"Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sins are put out of sight. Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of sin."

Ceremonies and rituals serve as reminders of our faith, and as instruction for newer believers. But they do not give us any special merit before God. They are outward signs demonstrating inward belief and trust.

The focus of our faith should be on Christ and what he did so that we could have salvation. This is the greatest gift we could ever receive, and it is free to all who believe.

Betty Predmore

Betty Predmore is a writer, blogger, speaker and ministry leaders. She is the founder of Mom-Sense, Inc., a ministry designed for mentorship, connection and service to women of all life circumstances. Through this ministry, women are encouraged and supported with scripture and life application. Mom-Sense helps women overcome life struggles through small group classes with biblical curriculum, individual counseling, bible studies, and other areas of support.

Betty also directs the Imperial Valley Life Center, which is a non-profit faith-based pro life women’s resource center. She has a passion for saving the unborn and supporting mothers through pregnancy and motherhood.

Betty loves to speak at events, sharing the love of Jesus with other women. She does this through practical life application mingled with God’s word, and sprinkled with humor. Having experienced a broken home, divorce, abuse, grief, single motherhood, blended families, and adoption, she uses the broken places and movement of God in her own life to share His word in an inspiring way. She enjoys sharing her blogs on social media as a way of reaching out on a broader spectrum. Betty has many speaking topics which can be found on her website: www.bettypredmore.com

As an author, she has had the opportunity to impact women and reach deep into their hearts with her words of inspiration and encouragement. Through Pondering Virtue and Whispered Grace, she has created wonderful tools for the woman who is seeking direction in her spiritual walk.

Betty serves on the writing team of A Wife Like Me, and is also a contributor to Moms Encouraging Moms and Gift of Thorns. Her blogs have appeared in several magazine publications throughout the years including Southern Faith Magazine, Purposeful Life, and Aspiring Woman Magazine.

While Betty thrives on her ministry opportunities, her greatest blessings come from being a wife to Jim and a mama to their wonderful collection of children, who bring joy, laughter, and an occasional tear to her days.


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