"Eureka! I found it!" shouted the Greek mathematician Archimedes when hediscovered a method for determining specific gravity.
"Land Ho!" shouted the sailors of Columbus' crew when they sighted, for the first time, the "new world".
"Gold!" was the cry in 1849 when that valuable metal was discovered in California.
The world is always excited by new discoveries - whether of scientific principles, new continents or hidden treasures. Yet the greatest discovery of all is that which was made by the patriarch Abraham. This discovery is described in the Bible, in chapter four of Romans.
   
   "What shall we say then that Abraham . . . hath found?" asks Paul in Romans :4: I. The answer is simple but far- reaching. Abraham's life- changing discovery was that there is ONLY ONE WAY to be right with God, to be saved, to be sure of heaven and eternal life.
  
   He discovered, first of all, that his OWN WORKS, DEEDS OR GOODNFSS would not help him at all (Romans 4: 1-8). Many think that if, when they die their good deeds outweigh their bad, they will go to heaven. But Abraham learned that even our "good deeds", our righteousness, are as "filthy rags" in God's sight (Isaiah 64: 6). This is because man's heart is desperately wicked (Jer. 17: 9) and a wicked heart CANNOT produce good works. We may call ourselves good, and society may even
agree with us, but God says that "there is NONE that doeth good, no, not one (Rom. 3: 12) for "all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3: 23).

   Abraham also discovered that RELIGIOUS DEEDS or RITUALS have no power to make us right with God (Romans 4: 9:12). How many today, sadly, are trusting in church membership or baptism or faithfulness in partaking of the Lord's Supper to gain them acceptance with God ! Abraham was certainly faithful in carrying out his religious rituals! he was circumcised in obedience to the command of God. Yet he knew that this religious ordinance could not save him. His circumcision came AFTER he was saved (Romans 4: 10) and was merely an outward sign (Romans 4: 1 1) of his right standing with God. Religious ordinances have their place but their place is AFTER salvation, not BEFORE.

   Abraham also discovered that keeping the LAW OF MOSES would not make him right with God (Romans 4: 13- 17). How many today are trusting in their supposed ability to keep the Ten Commandments? Yet Abraham was justified BEFORE the LAW was given and saved totally apart from the Law (Rom. 4: 13). Those attempting to find salvation through the Law make the promise of God of "none effect" and thus frustrate the very thing they are seeking - salvation (Romans 4: 14).

   In fact, Abraham discovered that NOTHING he could do in and of himself could save him. His own efforts, strength, wisdom, goodness, and even religious obedience could not help him (Romans 4:18-22). Yet there was ONE thing he could do and this is what he did. "Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness" (Romans 4:3). Abraham put his complete faith and trust in God and this faith made him right with God.

   Abraham lived thousands of years ago, but his "discovery" is for us as well (Romans $:23-25). Like Abraham, we need to discover that good works, religious rituals, trying to keep the Law - none of these things can save us. Christ said, "That which is born of the flesh is blesh" (John 3:6). The real problem is our heart. We cannot be right with God as long as our heart is "desperately wicked". We need to be "born again", this time a spiritual birth from above (John 3:3, 7) - and receive a "new heart". This takes place ONLY when we recognize our utterly helpless condition before God and accept Christ as our Saviour. "As many as received Him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name", the name of Jesus Christ (John 1:12).

   Have you made any great discovereis lately? The greatest of all is this grand truth that Abraham discovered! "To him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness" (Romans 4:5). You can make this discovery right now by turning to God, repenting not only of you "bad deeds" but also of your failure to trust God's dear Son, Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour. Then you will be able to say with Abraham and millions of other believers:
"Praise God! I fount it! I found salvation - eternal life - as a free gift from God through the Lord Jesus Christ!"

copyright 1988, Walter Jerry Clark