HOME JOIN US CORE VALUES MINISTRIES BEYOND OUR WALLS RESOURCES
 |
 |
|
|
|
||
 |
 |
|
Christianity 101: Paul’s Letter to the Romans
April 27, 2008
By John Bruce
Does the New Testament Contradict the Old?
Romans 4:1-25
How were people justified in the Old Testament; by faith
or by works?
What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the
flesh, has found? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has
something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the
Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as
righteousness." Now to the one who works, his wage is not credited as a
favor, but as what is due. But to the one who does not work, but
believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as
righteousness, just as David also speaks of the blessing on the man to
whom God credits righteousness apart from works: "Blessed are those
whose lawless deeds have been forgiven, and whose sins have been
covered. "Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will not take into
account." – Romans 4:1-8
Who is eligible to be justified by faith?
“Is this blessing then on the circumcised, or on the uncircumcised also?
For we say, "Faith was credited to Abraham as righteousness." How then
was it credited? While he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? Not while
circumcised, but while uncircumcised; and he received the sign of
circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had
while uncircumcised, so that he might be the father of all who believe
without being circumcised, that righteousness might be credited to them,
and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the
circumcision, but who also follow in the steps of the faith of our
father Abraham which he had while uncircumcised.” - Romans 4:9-12
Why must justification be by faith?
“For the promise to Abraham or to his descendants that he would be heir of the world was not through the Law, but through the righteousness of faith. For if those who are of the Law are heirs, faith is made void and the promise is nullified; for the Law brings about wrath, but where there is no law, there also is no violation. For this reason it is by faith, in order that it may be in accordance with grace, so that the promise will be guaranteed to all the descendants, not only to those who are of the Law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all, (as it is written, "A father of many nations have I made you") in the presence of Him whom he believed, even God, who gives life to the dead and calls into being that which does not exist.“ - Romans 4:13-17
How can I know if I have
the kind of faith which justifies?
“In hope against hope he believed, so that he might become a father of
many nations according to that which had been spoken, "So shall your
descendants be." Without becoming weak in faith he contemplated his own
body, now as good as dead since he was about a hundred years old, and
the deadness of Sarah's womb; yet, with respect to the promise of God,
he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to
God, and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able
also to perform. Therefore it was also credited to him as righteousness.
Now not for his sake only was it written that it was credited to him,
but for our sake also, to whom it will be credited, as those who believe
in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, He who was delivered
over because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our
justification.” - Romans 4:18-25
Creekside Community Church ● 951 MacArthur Blvd ● San Leandro, CA ● (510) 430-0607