Honor Your Mother
Joe R. Price

She gave you life. She held you, nursed you, bathed you and kissed your booboo. She made it all better. She proudly sent you off to your first day of school, then cried when you were out of sight. She helped with your homework assignments and “doctored” you through every illness. Where would this world be without mothers?

God makes it clear that children must honor their mothers: “Honor your father and mother, which is the first commandment with promise: that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth” (Eph. 6:2-3). A child honors his or her mother by obeying her “in the Lord” (Eph. 6:1). The word “honor” literally means to “estimate or fix a value” (Thayer, 624). What a privilege it is for the children of the virtuous and worthy woman to rise up and bless her (Prov. 31:28-29).

Honor your mother for her love. Who can fix a value upon a mother’s love? A mother’s love is learned, not inbred (Titus 2:4). Yes, there are motherly instincts, but love is not an instinct. Love is a decision. It is the quality of heart and life that actively does good for others. A mother’s love is witnessed in her deliberate actions of unrestrained care and overriding devotion to her children. Young women need instruction and training to be successful mothers. Young mothers who are wise will accept helpful instruction on how to love their children from older Christian women (Titus 2:4).

Honor your mother for her example of godliness. From your earliest days it was your mother who set examples for you to follow. Training in manners, in kindness, in personal responsibility, and more came from her hand, her mouth, and her life. Most of all, her example of faith in Christ helped lead you to faith (2 Tim. 1:5). For this, every godly Christian will hold his mother in high esteem.

Honor your mother for believing in you. Your mother is your biggest fan, your most ardent supporter. She finds the good in you (even when it’s not too easy to find). She encourages you to excel and to do your best. She knows you can succeed. She helps you see the success in yourself. Most importantly, because she loves the Lord, she is a trusted adviser who wisely counsels you in the way of truth (Prov. 31:26).

Would to God that everyone had such a mother. Sadly, they don’t. If you are blessed with such a mother, thank God for her every day (1 Thess. 5:18). Thank her, too. Honor your mother – and God – who gave her to you. 

-The Spirit’s Sword, May 11, 2008 (reprint with revisions)

Justification by Faith and Imputation of Faith
Joe R. Price

1 What then shall we say that Abraham our father has found according to the flesh? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” 4 Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. 5 But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness, 6 just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works: 7 “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; 8 Blessed is the man to whom the LORD shall not impute sin.” (Romans 4:1-8)

Abraham is the great example of justification by faith and not by works of law. Remember, “works” in Paul’s context is sinlessness – never violating God’s law (Rom. 3:20, 23, 27-28). The boast of justification by works is sinlessness (v. 2). Just one sin forever eliminates the ability to claim justification by works of law. Only sinlessness make righteousness a debt owed (v. 4). Like us, Abraham was a sinner in need of grace. And so, his faith was counted to him for righteousness (v. 3, 5; Gen. 15:6). The nature of Abraham’s faith is described in James 2:21-24. There, Abraham’s works of faith (obedience) were essential to his faith (which was accounted to him for righteousness, cf. Heb. 11:17). Even so today, saving faith is obedient faith, not to earn salvation, but so that we have a complete faith – the kind of faith that is accounted to us for righteousness.

Abraham was not the only person justified by faith. Truly, everyone who is justified will be justified by faith, not by works of law. The reason is clear – “all have sinned” (Rom. 3:23). Importantly, it was Abraham’s faith that was accounted to him for righteousness (Rom. 4:3). The same is true of every soul who is justified by faith – “his faith is accounted to him for righteousness” (Rom. 4:5). David supported this vital truth in Psalms 32:1-2, which Paul now quotes (v. 7-8). The Lord does not charge the account of the sinner who is justified by faith. Instead, God accounts that person’s faith for righteousness. (Remember, saving faith is includes obedience to God – the works of faith. It is this complete or “perfect” faith that justifies the sinner, Jas. 2:20-24.) This verse does not say the righteousness of Christ is imputed to the sinner. It supports the truth of Genesis 15:6 that is quoted in Romans 4:3, “Abraham believed God, and it (Abraham’s faith, jrp) was accounted to him for righteousness.” When we have the type of faith Abraham and David had, our sins are forgiven because our faith (like theirs) is imputed to us (put to our account) for righteousness. 

-Sword Tips, #1670 and #1671