Daily Bread Romans 4
Daily Bread Romans 4
Abraham Justified by Faith
1What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather, discovered in this matter? 2If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God. 3What does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness."
4Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation. 5However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness.
Observation:
Paul again zeroes in on the most important theological truth, how we are made right with God, also called “justification”. He uses the example of Abraham’s faith to teach that us that it is not circumcision that makes a person right with God (something we do), but faith in God’s promises. Paul again reasons that if it is something we can do that makes us right with God, than it will nullify the Promise. When someone does something to deserve something for it, it is an obligation. Meaning if we had to do something to get God’s approval, He would be obligated to pay us back for what we deserved.
But God’s intention is that we would become inheritors of all that is His, through Faith. That is by trusting in God’s gracious offer of forgiveness (covering all of our mistakes and shortcomings) through a free gift. Therefore circumcision is a sign that someone has been saved by faith. (Just as Baptism is in the New Testament)
Paul then uses the example of how Abraham trusted in faith even though he was 100 years old, and Sarah was 90 (and barren), that God would make good on His promise to bring him a son and an heir of the Promise. Eventually Sarah bore Issac, who became the child of the Promise, through whom God’s plan of salvation would become known to the whole world.
Application:
Everything in our society runs by a rule that is opposite of what Paul describes as the way God does business. In our world if you do something you deserve to get credit for it. We get upset when someone takes credit for something we have accomplished. Yet in God’s economy, He has set it up so that all the benefits of knowing God and becoming an inheritor of eternal life, will come through trusting in His promises which were made manifest in His Son Jesus.
If you are a parent think of it this way. The greatest joy you have is giving your child a gift and seeing the delight on their face when they receive it. And part of that greatest joy is them knowing that you gave it to them just because you love them, not because of anything they have done. If they thought they had done something to deserve it, this would have robbed you of your joy of giving something to your child just because you loved them and wanted them to enjoy the gift.
If this is true of us, though we give only imperfect gifts to our kids, how much more does God love to give us all of His gifts just because He loves us. Unfortunately most Christians when you ask them why they will get into heaven someday will say, “I think I am good person.” While they may be a relatively good person, we have just learned that no one is good enough to earn God’s approval. If we could, it would the completely nullify what God has done in making us right with Him through the free gift of His grace in Jesus Christ.
Have you completely trusted in God’s promises through Jesus Christ for your relationship with God? Is there still part of you that thinks you have to do enough to earn God’s love? Would you treat your child like that if you had one? Take a moment to thank God for His grace and pray for the faith to accept His promises! If you already have done this thank God for the relationship you have with Him and the beauty of the free gift.
Prayer: God we thank You that You have made a relationship possible all through what You have done for us. We don’t have to do anything but merely accept Your Promise through faith in what Jesus has done for us. Free us from the need to try and win your approval by works, which we know can never happen. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Abraham Justified by Faith
1What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather, discovered in this matter? 2If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God. 3What does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness."
4Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation. 5However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness.
Observation:
Paul again zeroes in on the most important theological truth, how we are made right with God, also called “justification”. He uses the example of Abraham’s faith to teach that us that it is not circumcision that makes a person right with God (something we do), but faith in God’s promises. Paul again reasons that if it is something we can do that makes us right with God, than it will nullify the Promise. When someone does something to deserve something for it, it is an obligation. Meaning if we had to do something to get God’s approval, He would be obligated to pay us back for what we deserved.
But God’s intention is that we would become inheritors of all that is His, through Faith. That is by trusting in God’s gracious offer of forgiveness (covering all of our mistakes and shortcomings) through a free gift. Therefore circumcision is a sign that someone has been saved by faith. (Just as Baptism is in the New Testament)
Paul then uses the example of how Abraham trusted in faith even though he was 100 years old, and Sarah was 90 (and barren), that God would make good on His promise to bring him a son and an heir of the Promise. Eventually Sarah bore Issac, who became the child of the Promise, through whom God’s plan of salvation would become known to the whole world.
Application:
Everything in our society runs by a rule that is opposite of what Paul describes as the way God does business. In our world if you do something you deserve to get credit for it. We get upset when someone takes credit for something we have accomplished. Yet in God’s economy, He has set it up so that all the benefits of knowing God and becoming an inheritor of eternal life, will come through trusting in His promises which were made manifest in His Son Jesus.
If you are a parent think of it this way. The greatest joy you have is giving your child a gift and seeing the delight on their face when they receive it. And part of that greatest joy is them knowing that you gave it to them just because you love them, not because of anything they have done. If they thought they had done something to deserve it, this would have robbed you of your joy of giving something to your child just because you loved them and wanted them to enjoy the gift.
If this is true of us, though we give only imperfect gifts to our kids, how much more does God love to give us all of His gifts just because He loves us. Unfortunately most Christians when you ask them why they will get into heaven someday will say, “I think I am good person.” While they may be a relatively good person, we have just learned that no one is good enough to earn God’s approval. If we could, it would the completely nullify what God has done in making us right with Him through the free gift of His grace in Jesus Christ.
Have you completely trusted in God’s promises through Jesus Christ for your relationship with God? Is there still part of you that thinks you have to do enough to earn God’s love? Would you treat your child like that if you had one? Take a moment to thank God for His grace and pray for the faith to accept His promises! If you already have done this thank God for the relationship you have with Him and the beauty of the free gift.
Prayer: God we thank You that You have made a relationship possible all through what You have done for us. We don’t have to do anything but merely accept Your Promise through faith in what Jesus has done for us. Free us from the need to try and win your approval by works, which we know can never happen. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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