“Two Paths to Heaven”
Genesis 15:6

Pastor Nate Herrlin

There are 2 paths to Heaven:

1. Personal righteousness
2. Credited righteousness

“Credited righteousness” has always been the way God has operated with people.

In God's perspective, belief has a value equal to or greater than personal righteousness.

If God has always operated with people on the basis of “credited righteousness”, what is the purpose of the Old Testament law?

What is the purpose of the Old Testament law?

- It is God’s gift of WISDOM
- It helps PROTECT people
- It helps us move CLOSER to God
- It clarifies God’s holy STANDARDS
- It reveals how far we FALL SHORT

Justification:

“Justification does not mean that the believer is thoroughly righteous in motive and conduct; it means that God credits him with righteous standing, so that in the records of Heaven (as it were) he is declared righteous.”

netbible.org (note #21 re: Genesis 15:6)

Why give an entire sermon to “credited righteousness” from Genesis 15:6?

1. This is how God HAS ALWAYS dealt with people.

2. The New Testament MAKES A BIG DEAL of this.

3. Our confidence must be in JESUS’ RIGHTEOUSNESS, not our own.

Why give an entire sermon to “credited righteousness” from Genesis 15:6?

4. Some of you are still on the impossible path of “PERSONAL RIGHTEOUSNESS”.

Next Steps:

In groups of 2-3 people, discuss:

What path do you think you’re on?

Pray for one another.