Romans 4:1-17

Romans 4:1-17Student Teaching Pastor Jason SalyerIn Romans 4:1-5, Paul writes about how Abraham believed and was declared righteous by God. Remember that the idea of righteousness is more than the absence of wrong or even guilt. It is a positive good, meaning that God not only declares us innocent, but also righteous. It is conforming to a norm and standard given by God and a faithfulness to a relationship. We are not righteous in ourselves, but God credits us righteousness by grace through faith. This section of Romans makes it clear that righteousness is credited (imputed) to us in Christ, not infused by us through works.
In verses 4-8, we see that we do not receive blessing, or salvation, from God because we have earned it as a wage. The better we understand the depth of our sin and the righteous standard of a holy God, the more grateful we are for the mercy and grace we have received. In the Psalm quoted (Psalm 32:1-2), David speaks of those who are blessed, not as those who are justified through works, but as those are cleansed by God, which we receive through forgiveness in Christ
In verses 9-12, Paul returns to the example of Abraham to show the order of faith and works. Abraham believed and was justified by God, but he also acted on that belief in many moments throughout his life. To believe is not to earn but to receive. The gospel is about receiving what is freely given by God, and not seeing our works as a means of earning our merit before God. In other words, we work "from" His approval, not "for" His approval. Faith can be considered a transfer of trust, from looking to myself or the world around me to a complete dependency on the finished work of Jesus on my behalf.
In verses 13-17, we find where believing leads to belonging. When we look in faith to the promises of God in Christ, we enter a relationship with God and with His people. We can find security in the certainty that His promises will not fail. We are evidence of that in the hearing and receiving of this gospel as those who, among all nations (people groups) that would be blessed through the offspring of Abraham, Jesus Christ. This was always the plan!
You do not have to prove yourself.You do not have to find yourself.You do not have to worry about what Jesus Christ thinks about you.He has saved you, and He loves you more than you can fathom. The promises of God do not let go of you.
Questions to Consider:

1. How does this passage keep our hearts from undervaluing the grace and forgiveness we receive from God?
2. How does this passage show us that believing is about receiving more than earning?
3. Where do you need to turn away from finding your sense of identity and self worth through achievement or affirmation from others and look to Jesus?

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