The Line That Divides the World
“Only one thing makes you right with God—and it’s not you.”
Sermon Summary
There is a single sentence in Scripture that splits the world in two: “Abram believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness” (Genesis 15:6). This verse draws the dividing line between faith and works, between grace and effort, between those who trust in themselves and those who trust in the finished work of Christ. It is the core of the gospel.
The Scriptures teach that we are not made right with God by what we do, but by believing in what God has done through Jesus. Romans 3 and 4 explain that justification—being declared righteous in God's sight—is not earned by keeping laws or doing good, but given as a gift through faith. Paul uses Abraham as the model: he simply believed, and God credited that faith as righteousness.
This truth is not just theological—it is personal. It defines how we approach God, how we find peace, and how we live daily. Even our prayers rest on this foundation. Psalm 34 says, “When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears.” We dare to pray boldly not because we are righteous in ourselves, but because we are clothed in the righteousness of Christ.
This is the line that divides the world—and eternity. Are you standing on your works or on the righteousness of Christ?
Sermon Text: Genesis 15.6
Preacher: Todd Pylant
Sermon Date: August 3, 2025