4 What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, discovered in this matter?
2 If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God.
3 What does Scripture say? “Abraham believed God,
and it was credited to him as righteousness.”[a]
4 Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation.
5 However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness.
6 David says the same thing when
he speaks of the blessedness of the one to whom God credits righteousness apart
from works:
7 “Blessed are those
whose transgressions are
forgiven,
whose sins are covered.
8 Blessed is the one
whose sin the Lord will
never count against them.”[b]
[a] Gen. 15:6; also in verse 22
[b] Psalm
32:1,2
Romans 4:1-8
Paul tells us about faith in many different ways in Romans. Faith begins when we understand that it's nothing that we possess or do makes us righteous. Paul brings up Abraham whom people regard as righteous
Romans 4:2 ESV
[2] For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God.
Before God and His perfect holiness, when we are compared to God we are a speck that is barely noticeable. God does not remember our sins when we come to God in the humility, acknowledging that we cannot earn our salvation.
Psalm 32:1-2 ESV
[1] Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. [2] Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.
Paul goes on to say that our righteousness cannot be earned since our salvation is a gift.
Romans 4:4-5 ESV
[4] Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. [5] And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness,
True faith shows up in life and needs to be practiced if it is to grow. We are saved when we accept this gift and yet we need to continue to abide in Christ. We will be blessed when we can distinguish between faith and works. We are blessed when we realize that God will not count our sins against us. This is a great blessing, but we need to remember this is precious and not to be taken for granted.
Romans 4:6-8 ESV
[6] just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works: [7] “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; [8] blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.”
We easily forget what God has done for us. Although we did not purchase our salvation, Jesus did. Our salvation is not cheap; it came with a costly price. We should value it like a treasure.
We need to choose obedience over convenience. We need to choose truth over profit. We need to practice our faith and treat that gift of salvation by faith like a precious treasure.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.