My wife and I were recently speaking about Noah when the question came up: When did he become righteous? Now most people are familiar enough with him, the ark and the flood. It’s funny in a way that most people know the story, at least parts of it, and make toy sets and books for the kids as if it is all cute and fun – all without a basic misunderstanding or lack of consideration for this story. God destroyed all living things because of man’s sin. This flood was the most severe judgment man had seen upon sin – it wasn’t a game but a matter of life and death. Odd how we can make play out of something so heavy.
Now back to my wife’s question. Her question takes on a different slant into the life of Noah - examining the life and heart of this great man. A quick glance at Genesis 6 might leave one with the impression that Noah was “all good” so to speak, therefore God chose to start over with Noah and his family. I don’t think that quick glance does justice in answering Laura’s question. So let’s backup to Genesis 6:8-9 and take a closer look at this passage.
Genesis 6:8 But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD. 9 These are the records of the generations of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his time; Noah walked with God.
Notice the word favor in verse 8, Noah found favor in the eyes of God. The word is also translated GRACE elsewhere in scripture. The fact that Noah found “unmerited favor” in the eyes of the Lord is why Noah was a righteous man. God intervened in the heart and life of Noah and set him apart for His purpose. The thing that set Noah apart from the unrighteous mean of his day is the same thing the separates true believers in Christ from the unrighteous men in our day. Even the flow of the section demands that you take note of God’s favor, Verse nine moves into telling us about this man that had found grace in God’s eyes. So back to the original question, when did he become righteous?
Hebrews 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.
The book of Hebrews plainly states that there was an act of faith on the part of Noah. He believed God. That is the point at which Noah became righteous. It is the same in the life of every believer to this day. God comes to us. He finds us. He seeks us out. He gives us GRACE. When we receive that grace we act in faith. Exercising a faith that believes all that God has said about our in ability to save ourselves, repenting of our sins, trusting in the work of Jesus alone for our righteousness.
So see nothing has really changed since the beginning. Noah was counted righteous because of a believing faith that resulted in obedience in following God. He was not a perfect man, just keep reading in Genesis 9, but he was a righteous man because he placed his trust in the GRACE of the Almighty God. We are saved by faith, faith in God, faith in Christ – none in ourselves.
We find ourselves at the end of the day unable to save ourselves, just as Noah was unable to save himself. If you find yourself trying to make your own way to salvation my prayer is that you will turn to Christ for eternal life.
2 Corinthians 5:21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
sherman
No comments:
Post a Comment