So what can we say about Abraham, the father of our people? What did he learn about faith? If Abraham was made right by the things he did, he had a reason to boast about himself. But God knew different.
That’s why the Scriptures say, “Abraham believed God, and because of this he was accepted as one who is right with God.”
When people work, their pay is not given to them as a gift. They earn the pay they get. But people cannot do any work that will make them right with God. So they must trust in him. Then he accepts their faith, and that makes them right with him. He is the one who makes even evil people right.
David said the same thing when he was talking about the blessing people have when God accepts them as good without looking at what they have done:
“It is a great blessing when people are forgiven for the wrongs they have done, when their sins are erased! It is a great blessing when the Lord accepts people as if they are without sin!” (Psalm 32:1-2)
(Romans 4:1-8 ERV)
How do we gain God's acceptance? Trust. Trust is the essence of true faith. This is how Abraham the patriarch and King David gained God's acceptance.
Many people try to earn God's acceptance, but they never will. No one can. No one obligates God. None of us have any standing with God through what we do or don't do.
Only when we are free from the consequences of sin can we experience God's acceptance. He alone extends forgiveness to those who trust in Him in a genuine and personal way, even as Abraham did. ©Word-Strong_2015