God v Abraham
The Case of God v. Abraham
Romans 4:1-15
May 24, 1998
Introduction Have you ever thought to yourself, “What must I do to have eternal life?” Or, “How can I be sure God is on my side.” These honest questions are answered by the Scriptural doctrine of justification. So when the Apostle Paul addresses the question of how Abraham is justified, in Romans 4:1-15, he is providing the answer to these searching questions.
Paul brings the analogy of faith and the biblical precept, that Scripture understands and interprets itself, to bear on these most vital questions.
From Old Testament Scripture he will show how Abraham faith attains God’s righteousness. From Old Testament Scripture he will show that this righteousness is a gift of grace, not an owed wage. From Old Testament Scripture he will show that Abraham is the Father of all who believe. From Old Testament Scripture he will show us that even we, the believers of the 21st century, are the true descendants of Abraham.
The importance of the doctrine of justification as related to our own salvation cannot be overstated. Like eavesdroppers in the Divine courtroom of Justice, we hear Paul present his legal brief in the case of God verses Abraham.
Abraham Believed (4:1-3) This brief asks the question, “How did Abraham, the father of the Jews, attain his right standing with God? By what he did? Or by what God did for him?” His argument can be simply stated by two words right from Old Testament Scripture, “Abraham Believed”
Let’s listen as Paul presents his argument. 1What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather, discovered in this matter (the matter of Justification)? 2If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about-- but not before God. Paul is recalling that God has excluded all human boasting from faith.
The Scripture itself makes the point that a man is in good standing with God, that is, justified before God, by faith. Quoting from Genesis, Paul presents the clear teaching of God. "Abraham believed God, and it (his faith) was credited to him as righteousness." Note carefully the words. They do not say that faith is Abraham’s righteousness. It says, God credited it to him as righteousness. Abraham is not the righteous one, God is. And Abraham believed God!
Gift, Not Wages (4:4-8) In verses 4-8 Paul explains what “Credited to him” means. He says, “4Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation.” I think most of us would see our employer as being obligated to pay for the work we do.
That’s pretty straight-forward stuff. But in Abraham’s case God credits him with what he had not worked for. Listen carefully to Paul’s inspired words, “5to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness.” Isn’t that amazing?! God credits the wicked with righteousness. My friends, this is pure Gospel language. It is strong language that explains that we bring nothing of value to God. He owes us nothing us. And we deserve nothing from Him.
Even David, after realizing his sins of lust and adultery, and his impenitent disregard of his murderous activity, says the same thing. Paul cites Psalm 32. 7"Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. 8Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him."
Paul’s point is this: People are blessed of God when He forgives transgression and covers sins and never counts sins against them.
I hope you see the implication here. David speaks first hand in this Psalm of what it means to be right with God. And if this is true then there is hope for even the most terrible sinner.
Abraham, the Father of Us All (4:9-12) Paul goes on to approach the question of who the gift is for? That’s important to us because only the heirs of Abraham receive the promised righteousness. Listen carefully to his argument. “We have been saying that Abraham's faith was credited to him as righteousness. 10Under what circumstances was it credited? Was it after he was circumcised, or before?
It is rather obvious where Paul is going with his argument. If Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness after he was circumcised, then it could be said that it is circumcision that justifies. But Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness before he was circumcised. Circumcision has no bearing on his salvation. Faith and trust in God’s promise does. Case closed then, right? We can all go home now and say I have faith and that makes me safe with God. Not at all!
Remember Scripture interprets Scripture. And the letter of James is included in it. It seems that James is making a case against Paul and the teaching that a person is justified by faith alone. He even says: “You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.” Who is right, Paul or James? Or, is the Scripture fickle? And not to be trusted? Not at all!
James is making a point against false faith that is merely intellectual. He is not arguing against the doctrine that we stand by faith alone. He is arguing that true faith never is alone. It is always accompanied by works of righteousness. Anyone can say they have faith. But the one with true faith does not continue to live according to the sinful nature, which is opposed to God. They cannot because, in faith, the sinful nature is crucified. How foolish for anyone to think they can continue to live in sin and have saving faith. That is not faith. It is fantasy.
Friends, I appeal to you to consider what a wonderful blessing it is that true righteousness belongs to God and is credited to all who believe; Just like Father Abraham. Even our children are taught to sing the this truth. “Father Abraham had many sons. Many sons has Father Abraham. And I am one of them, and so are you. So lets just praise the Lord.”
Consider what a blessing it is to be a spiritual child of Abraham. It means that as his offspring the promises of God made to Abraham are promises also for us.
Abraham’s Descendants (4:13-15) The final argument of Paul’s brief focuses on God’s remarkable promise to Abraham that he would “be heir of the world”. Two times God says, “I will bless those who bless you and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” And then he says, “I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed Me.”
The offspring of Abraham, Paul identifies as Jesus Christ. Through Him all people are blessed with the same credited righteousness as Abraham. Abraham’s obedience is the obedience of faith. It couldn’t be obedience to the Law because God does not give the Law until some 430 years after His promise. Because the Law did not exist when Abraham received the promise, he could not have been made righteous by obeying it.
Thus, Paul presents his final point. 13It was not through 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. 14For if those who live by law are heirs, faith has no value and the promise is worthless, 15because law brings wrath. And where there is no law there is no transgression.” So far the case of God vs. Abraham.
Three points stand out in it.
1. Abraham did not work to earn righteousness.
2. Circumcision did not make Abraham righteous.
3. Abraham did not become righteous by obeying the Law.
Instead, believing God’s promise was credited to him as righteousness. It is the same way for us. So the questions we started with, “What must I do to have eternal life?” And, “How can I be sure God is on my side.” are answered. “The man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited to him as righteousness. Amen.