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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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