OceanSide church of Christ

Read devotionals for March 2026

April 1, 2026

Romans 4:16 – Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is father of us all.

Thought: The law could not save. That was not its purpose. Salvation was going to be through faith in the work of Jesus on the cross of Calvary. This plan offered salvation to both Jews and Gentiles. Paul notes three important points about the redemption that is in Christ. First, “…it is of faith.” Second, it is “by grace.” Third, the end is that “the promise might be sure to all the seed.” God never limited salvation to the Jews alone. It’s for all.

Galatians 3:28-29

April 2, 2026

Romans 4:17 – (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.

Thought: Abraham was not given a promise to be the father of one nation. God told him: “I have made thee a father of many nations.” Paul affirms that Abraham believed God’s promise. He gives two reasons why God should be believed. First, it is God “who quickeneth the dead,” that is, He can bring he dead to life. Second, God can call “those things which be not as though they are.” Things not presently happening, God can bring to pass.

Genesis 17:4-5

April 3, 2026

Romans 4:18 – Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.

Thought: When Abraham was promised a child both he and Sarah were passed the age of childbearing. In essence, there was no hope for their having a child. However, Abraham believed in hope after God spoke to him. He truly, sincerely believed that God was going to bless him and his wife with a son. He firmly believed that he would become the father of many nations. He believed it because God said it. God is faithful and can always be trusted.

Genesis 15:4-5

April 4, 2026

Romans 4:19 – And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead when he was about a hundred years old, neither the deadness of Sarah’s womb.

Thought: When God made his promise of a child to Abraham, Abraham’s body was dead, Abraham did not have the ability to reproduce. Too, Sarah’s womb was dead. She, too, could not reproduce. Yet, once Abraham received the promise, he did not focus upon these two things. He embraced the promise in its fulness. Paul describes this great patriarch as “being not weak in faith.” It was God’s promise versus nature. Abraham chose God.

Hebrews 11:12

April 5, 2026

Romans 4:20, 21 – He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; and being fully persuaded, that what he had promised, he was able also to perform.

Thought: In this section of Scripture, Paul has contrasted a strong faith with a weak faith. A weak faith ceases to hope. A weak faith looks at the things that are seen. A weak faith staggers at the promises of God. On the other hand, a strong faith believes in hope. A strong faith does not consider the things that are seen. A strong faith gives glory to God. A strong faith is fully persuaded. A strong faith believes that what God promises, He can perform.

Genesis 21:1-5

April 6, 2026

Romans 4:22 – And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.

Thought: Abraham fully believed God’s promise that he and Sarah would have a son. Because of this belief, “it was imputed to him for righteousness.” Many go to this text to teach the doctrine of “faith only.” They affirm, and rightfully so, that Abraham only believed on this occasion. Here’s the question. Why did he believe only? The answer is because that’s all one can do with a promise. Believing a command is different. It must be obeyed.

James 2:21-23

April 7, 2026

Romans 4:23, 24 – Now it was not written for his sake alone, that is was imputed to him; but for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead.

Thought: Abraham was saved by grace without the Law of Moses. This is interesting because he is the “father of the Jews.” The Jews held Abraham in high esteem. Paul told the Romans that Abraham’s example was for them. Just as Abraham could be saved without the law, so could they. If they manifested the same type of faith as Abraham did, righteousness would be imputed to them. This faith would believe the promises and obey God’s commands.

Romans 15:4

April 8, 2026

Romans 4:25 – Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

Thought: Jesus’ death and resurrection were for the benefit of humanity. Paul reveals that Jesus was delivered to be crucified “for our offences.” Jesus Himself did nothing to deserve death. He took the punishment for the transgressions committed by man. However, if Jesus had remained in the tomb, there would have been no saving benefits to His death. Thus, the third day He was raised. Paul teaches us that He “was raised for our justification.”

1 Peter 3:18

April 9, 2026

Romans 5:1 – Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Thought: Man is justified by faith. His active, obedient faith activates the grace of God on his behalf. Once he is justified, he has peace with God. He is no longer separated from God by his sins. This blessing was made possible “through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Notice that we said our faith must be active and obedient. Many read this verse and immediately attach the word “only” to the word faith, but justification has never been by faith only or faith alone.

James 2:24

April 10, 2026

Romans 5:2 – By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.

Thought: Faith brings us peace with God. Too, faith grants us access into the grace of our loving God. This grace involves His divine assistance, His powerful aid, His loving help. It is in His grace that we are to stand. In that grace we can stand with absolute confidence. In addition, we can rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. In this life, we have not obtained that glory. It awaits us. However, we have both a desire and expectation of receiving it.

Romans 15:13