Faith Alone
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Disclaimer: This is a touchy one for us.
You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.
What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh?
Better: “What shall we say, then? Have we found Abraham to be our ancestor in a human, fleshly sense?”
Paul’s Question: In what sense am I part of Abraham’s family?
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 counted to him as righteousness.”
In what sense was Abraham part of God’s family?
Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due.
And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness,
Abraham became part of the covenant family of God by trusting God, not through dogma, religion, or merit.
just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works:
“Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered;
blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.”
David agrees that God’s family is created by faith and forgiveness, not merit and righteousness.
Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith?
Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?
Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain?
Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith—
just as Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”?
Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham.
Abraham became part of God’s family by faith, and I become part of Abraham’s family by faith.
Different Question: What sort of faith did Abraham have?
You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!
Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless?
Merely agreeing to a statement is not the sort of faith we are talking about.
Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar?
You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works;
and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God.
Abraham had the sort of faith that acted out a trust in God.
So how do I become a part of this family?
I become part of the family of Abraham through a faith like Abraham - nothing more and nothing less.