Standing Perfect

Standing perfect before God

Rom. 4:1-25

Wherever we go, whatever we do Character counts! When we stand before God character counts.

Illustration: a platoon was about to stand General’s inspection. There was one in the platoon who did not speak very good English; he was an immigrant to the country. So his buddies decided to help him. They coached him telling him the General would ask questions, when the General asks how long have you been in the army, you say 2 years. When he asks how old are you, you say 22 years. When he asks are you getting good food and good care, you say both. The day of the inspection the General asked questions just as the buddies said, however the order was different, he asked how old are you and the man responded 2 years, Well how long have you been in the Army? 22 years sir. Then general was getting agitated and asked What do you take me for a fool or an idiot? And the man responded BOTH.

One day we will all stand inspection before God Heb. 9:27 “Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment”

But when we speak of Judgment Day the response is mixed.

1. Some are looking forward to it, prepared and ready to stand

2. Some are not looking forward to it

a. Like the boy who called the dentist only to find out he was out of town. Relieved he asked when the dentist will be out of town again.

b. Putting it off can only lead to something worse.

But we can stand Perfect on that Day

1. Rom. 4:5 However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness.

a. He will not ask how many good works we have done

b. Works obligate God v. 4 Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation

c. God will not be obligated.

2. To Abraham it was credited to him

Rom. 4:1-3 What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather, discovered in this matter? 2 If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about--but not before God. 3 What does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness."

a. Abraham believed God, no matter what the circumstances were around him.

b. Key word is credit, given not owed.

3. The Psalmist quoted here says those who trust in the Lord are BLESSED

Blessed are they

whose transgressions are forgiven,

whose sins are covered.

RO 4:8 Blessed is the man

whose sin the Lord will never count against him."n

4. It comes by faith

Illustration: Man before Peter “You need 100 points to get in”

Finally the man says, if my works were not enough, then I am not worthy to enter, but please by the Grace of God, let me in. Peter than says 100 points enter.

To stand perfect it is by faith:

V. 16 Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring--not only to those who are of the law but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all. 17 As it is written: "I have made you a father of many nations."n He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed--the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were.

This promise is not just for circumcised, not just for the Christians, but also for the non-Christians, both have this promise, one has accepted it and the other has yet to.

God is faithful, even when the medical reports say otherwise

God is faithful, even when the world is against us

God is faithful, even when our past is covered with sin and degradation.

God has the power to deliver no matter what the circumstance, he has the power to cleanse us.

That is how we can stand His Inspection

WE stand in faith

We stand in Jesus

When we stand before God he is not going to ask us how many good works did we do, or how long we lasted, or how good were we? NO he is going to ask us Do you trust me? Did you accept Jesus as Lord and Savior? Did you give your life to Jesus?

Today by accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior you too can stand Perfect before God.