SCRIPTURE: ROMANS 4
Bible Verses:
“What does Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”(Romans 4:3)
“Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness.
(Romans 4:4-5)
“Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord will never count against them.” (Romans 4:7-8)
“ Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who have the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all.” (Romans 4:16)
“Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness” (Romans 4:18-22)
“The words “it was credited to him” were written not for him alone, but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. (Romans 4:23-24)
ABRAHAM JUSTIFIED BY FAITH (vs. 1-25)
Abraham was not saved by keeping the law nor by obeying a religious ritual. It was all by God’s grace through faith not by works that one can boast about. A man who does no work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness. (v. 5))
David commits adultery, deceit and murder. but he repented and turned to God. He reaped the consequences of his sins but God forgave him because He justifies the ungodly, not the righteous.
Abraham became the father of the Jewish nation physically, but he was the father of all believers spiritually. At old age of a hundred and Sarah’s womb was also dead, he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God to give him an offering. His faith was strong to believe that God has the power to do what he had promised. To those who believe and trust Christ, God puts Christ’s righteousness in their account and their sins are forgiven.
THOUGHTS:
HOW ARE WE JUSTIFIED?
- Justification is by Faith not work (4:1-8) – Abraham was justified by believing in God’s promise. He was saved simply on the basis of faith.
- Justification is by Grace not law (4:9-17) – God promise Abraham to become the heir of the world. This promise was not in connection with the law of circumcision but by God’s grace alone. The Law was given to reveal sin and bring wrath. It completely cancels grace as works will cancel faith.
- Justification is by the Resurrection power, not on human effort (vs. 18-25) – Abraham and Sarah were “dead” physically with regards to child-bearing capability. But he believed God’s promise to become the father of many nations. So the resurrection power of the Spirit enabled him to receive the blessings and give glory to God.
In conclusion: Justification is by faith through God’s grace and by the resurrection power of God. It means righteousness imputed that gives us a right standing before God.
- Faith is believing and trusting in Jesus Christ and accepting his wonderful gift of salvation. It is not by loving God nor doing good that we are saved,
- In view of the tremendous price Jesus had paid on the cross, all confessed sins will be forgiven. There is no sin too great for him to forgive.
- Ceremonies and rituals are outward signs to demonstrate our inner belief and trust. But they do not give us special merit before God. The focus of our faith should be on Christ, his saving work and not on our own actions.