Romans - Week 4

Romans 4:1–8 NIV

What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, discovered in this matter? If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God. What does Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” 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. David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the one to whom God credits righteousness apart from works: “Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord will never count against them.”

Abraham is an example for us

God calls him in a mighty way

Genesis 12:1–4 NIV

The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” So Abram went, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Harran.

Abram had no kids - and God promised him a nation.

Abram said ‘OK!’. and up and left.

But, along the way....

EGYPT - lies to the egyptians about Sarai. Pharaoh takes her, gets serious diseases. Gives her back.

NEXT - Another encounter with the Lord. Abraham asks him - how can your promise be? I don’t even have kids. (Lord splits animals, smoking firepot between them, will give you all this land).

NEXT - Sarai gives abram hagar. That goes well.

NEXT - God gives covenant of circumcision, renames them. Angels visit and remind Abraham - kid is coming.

NEXT - Abraham moves to the Negev. Lies to Abimilek about Sarah. God threatens abimilek. Abimilek gives her back.

NEXT - Lord delivers on his promise, Isaac is born.

Story of Abraham / God - Abraham tries, messes up, God fixes and moves forward.

Would that be the first thing that came to mind for us as an example of righteousness?

Hebrews 11 highlights Abraham as an example of faith.

What does Abraham teach us about righteousness and faith?

3 Things.

Righteousness comes from recognizing God as good - not ourselves

Romans 4:18–22 NIV

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.”

Abraham said, ‘Everything about me can’t do this.’

But abraham also said - ‘I trust that God can’.

And God called him righteous for that.

God doesn’t owe us anything - and never will

Romans 4:4–5 NIV

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.

This sounds like a bit of a bad deal.

TRUTH - God is the most generous. So this is the best possible deal.

(How much could we EARN for ourselves anyways?)

We need to appreciate how blessed we are because this applies to us.

Righteousness ONLY comes from God as a gift

Romans 4:13–14 NIV

It was not through the law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. For if those who depend on the law are heirs, faith means nothing and the promise is worthless,

We are only good before God because he forgave us.

Isaiah 64:6 “All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.”

And he did that as a gift to us. And rememeber - he’s super generous.

What do we do with this information?

Believe in God

Romans 4:23–24 NIV

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.

We can participate in this process of righteousness, like Abraham did.

Even if we constantly drop the ball or miss the mark - like Abraham did.

But believing in God means this - trusting that God has a nation planned when all you have is a single kid.

God has promises FOR you, for sure. But whatever big God does FOR you, he’ll do bigger THROUGH you.

Hebrews 11:13–14 “All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own.”

Recognize the process of gifted righteousness in others

This process of gifted righteousness exists because God is perfect and good.

Other people around you in Church may not be as perfect or good.

We need a healthy perspective on this.

1 Timothy 1:15 NIV

Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.

This is why love and acceptance is the primary sign to the outside world that we are in God.