A triple rating that cannot go down

 

 

I know it is on your mind if you are a working adult.  What does it mean that the United States, which, according to Michelle Bachmann, has had a AAA credit rating since 1917 and "has endured the great depression, World War II, Korea, Vietnam and the terrorist attacks on 9/11" but has been downgraded to AA-plus?  How will this effect present financial functioning and future economic opportunities, including things like retirement?  Has our nation become like that cliched bum uncle that is loaned $1000 but refuses to pay it back, calling himself unable while keeping premium cable and smoking three packs a day?  If the government is to blame, why must bill-paying, responsible citizens pay?

Perhaps such questions are futile in looking at our national economy.  However, there is one arena in which we will never have to worry about a "credit downgrade."  The apostle Paul mentions this extensively in Romans four.  In fact, all nine times the word "credited" is used in the NAS version, it is found in this single chapter.  The word is an accounting term meaning "to enter in the account book" (Reinecker 357).  The crux of the discussion is how righteousness is credited. Paul indicates that righteousness is credited to our account, not based on our performance but rather by belief in the resurrected Lord (cf. 4:24).  That is not to discount the necessity of a faith that obeys and does the works commanded by Christ.  It is, however, to remind us that our salvation can be trusted because it is built upon the worth and soundness of the perfect Son of God.  Jesus ever was, is, and ever will be perfect and sinless (2 Cor. 5:21).  God, from eternity to eternity, cannot and will not lie (cf. Heb. 6:19-20).  Therefore, justification through Christ can never be devalued.  Especially on a day like today, such reassurance is timely!  Christ is the only trustworthy foundation upon which to build life (cf. Matt. 7:24ff).  

 

 Neal Pollard