The Litmus Test of Faith

litmus test a test in which a single factor (such as an attitude, event, or fact) is decisive

Abraham can be our litmus test of faith

Romans (Abraham Was Justified by Faith / 4:1-25)

Paul had already stated that “a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify” (3:21 NIV). Now he continues to show the Jews from their own Scriptures that a person is justified by faith and not by works. Abraham is Paul’s first example. Paul knows that if he can make a convincing case for Abraham’s justification by faith, Jews might be more open to considering the claims of the gospel. After all, if the ancestral father of the Jewish nation did not attempt to earn his way into God’s favor, neither should his offspring. Paul was anxious that his fellow Jews discover what he and their father Abraham had discovered—that justification comes by faith.

Romans 4:1–5

What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather, discovered in this matter? If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God. What does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”

Look at Abraham’s works

^Left home and family because God said go

^ Allowed Lot to have best land even though he could claim it.

^ He was circumcised at 99.

Romans Abraham Was Justified by Faith / 4:1-25

God does not accept the person on account of his works, but he accepts the works on account of the (believing) person.

—Martin Luther

^Many of the Jewish leaders taught that the act of Abraham taking Isaac upon the mountain and prepared to sacrifice his only son was what justified him. He was justified long before this It was trusting God because of his faith that God would provide a lamb.

Genesis 15:6 NIV84

Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.

Trust God to solve the problem and show Him you believe Him.

It is not the works we do that God gives us credit for, but the faith we have when we do them.

Romans 4:6–8(NIV84)

David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works: “Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him.”

Not Works! Not Law! But by Faith are we saved and made righteous.

Romans 4:9–15 (NIV84)

Is this blessedness only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? We have been saying that Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness. Under what circumstances was it credited? Was it after he was circumcised, or before? It was not after, but before! And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. So then, he is the father of all who believe but have not been circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them. And he is also the father of the circumcised who not only are circumcised but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.

It 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. For if those who live by law are heirs, faith has no value and the promise is worthless, because law brings wrath. And where there is no law there is no transgression.

Look at the world today.

Where do people turn to find righteousness?

Works- Bill and Malinda Gates

etc.

Law: If it is legal, it’s OK and if it isn’t legal, just wait and it will be soon enough.

Court of public opinion: The greatest validation of all.

Claim your inheritance

We are ALL children of Abraham and children of the King-Jesus

Romans 4:16–17 NIV84

Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all. As it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations.” He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were.

Share your inheritance and it will never come up empty.

Romans 4:18–25 NIV84

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.” 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. He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.