Gold Tried in the Fire - Robert J. Wieland
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counted unto him for righteousness... To him that<br />
worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth <strong>the</strong><br />
ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness...<br />
Faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness."<br />
Romans 4:3-9.<br />
Count<strong>in</strong>g or reckon<strong>in</strong>g faith for righteousness is<br />
<strong>the</strong> same "recognition" idea we found <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> Old<br />
Testament. It is radically different from <strong>the</strong> Roman<br />
Catholic <strong>in</strong>vention of an <strong>in</strong>fused righteousness<br />
poured <strong>in</strong> by <strong>the</strong> sacraments. Abraham did no ritual<br />
works of any k<strong>in</strong>d; no righteousness was poured<br />
<strong>in</strong>to him. Ra<strong>the</strong>r, his faith was counted for<br />
righteousness. Although his faith was not based on<br />
human performance, someth<strong>in</strong>g had <strong>in</strong>deed<br />
happened with<strong>in</strong> Abraham himself. As <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> case<br />
of all true Christians, Abraham "with <strong>the</strong> heart"<br />
believed "unto righteousness." Romans 10:10. His<br />
heart was melted by someth<strong>in</strong>g extraord<strong>in</strong>ary: he<br />
discerned <strong>the</strong> sacrifice of Christ <strong>in</strong> his behalf, for<br />
he "saw [Christ's day], and was glad." John 8:56.<br />
His faith was a heart appreciation of <strong>the</strong> sacrifice of<br />
that "Lamb sla<strong>in</strong> from <strong>the</strong> foundation of <strong>the</strong> world."<br />
Revelation 13:8. Thus he became <strong>the</strong> "fa<strong>the</strong>r" of all<br />
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