Romans 4
"The Prototype" • 1.20.09 • The Power Of One: One Man, One Life, One Mission, Session #11
Intro
- The remainder of chapters 2 and 3 solidly presents the case for universal guilt before God.
- Paul says the world is guilty and the Jews are also guilty before the Lord.
- Paul sums up that portion of his initial statement like this:
• Romans 3:20-23 : "Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,"
- The news is grim and dark and it begs the question, which Paul will spend the next section dealing with: "Who then can be saved and how?"
• Romans 3:28-30 : "Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law. Or is He the God of the Jews only? Is He not also the God of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also, since there is one God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith."
- Paul, being a remarkable scholar in his time, anticipates the question and decides that it's best to answer by illustration. He turns to the paradigm: Abraham.
- Abraham is revered by two world religions, Islam and Judaism. He is the Father of the Arabic people, the Patriarch of the Messianic line, as well as the Father of the Faith to Christians.
- Abraham was a man that by all accounts was considered and declared to be righteous by God. But how and when are the matters of deepest significance.
- As we look at this vital portion of scripture, let's be reminded that this was not some dry theological content that served as the trivial pursuit portion of the evening's entertainment.
- Paul was answering a question that helped define the mission of the church.
- What follows is an incredible display of Paul's brilliant, logical mind. We will break down the chapter in 3 sequential pieces.
- Somebody could look at Abraham and remember that he left his homeland at God's call. And then, later in life, he was circumcised. These were great "works."
- However, it was after Abraham left and before he was circumcised that God put him to the test that would determine his standing.
- Turn with me to Genesis 15. Abraham has just returned from an unlikely, yet absolutely heroic rescue of his nephew Lot. He went into utter danger and has now returned, realizing what had happened.
- God makes a bold promise to Abraham regarding the family that Abraham would have. Abraham in frustration replies that he had no heir. Then God ups the ante.
• Genesis 15:5,6 : "Then He brought him outside and said, 'Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them.' And He said to him, 'So shall your descendants be.' And he believed in the Lord, and He accounted it to him for righteousness."
- Look up? That will be your family! Abraham listened, and then believed the Lord despite his own doubts and the circumstances that he faced.
- For one, his wife was barren according to Genesis 11:30. To make matters worse, he was pretty advanced in age at this time.
- God saw in Abraham's heart a trust that God would carry out His word in spite of what he saw. God saw this, and the Bible records that God "accounted it" to him for righteousness.
- The word "accounted" I imagine, is easily understood. It means that God took this man's trust and belief and put righteousness in his bank!
- A little more, and maybe we'll really apprehend what happened here. When God saw Abraham's trust, He was moved and saw that belief as the equivalent value to living a perfect life!
- That is what that word means. The trust that any man places in God to bring about His Word is worth the equivalent to a perfect life!
- Now, this is very important to understand: God did not make Him righteous. He declared him to be righteous. Look at what Paul says next.
• Romans 4:4-8 : "Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness, just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works: 'Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, And whose sins are covered; Blessed is the man to whom the Lord shall not impute sin.'"
- The explanation here is that a man may attempt to work and get God's attention with what he does. But what he does not realize is that what he thinks is gaining him favor is actually working against him!
- The only hope is not outdo our evil works with good works. Our only hope is that God covers our sin and covers us with His righteousness.
• Romans 4:9-12 : "Does this blessedness then come upon the circumcised only, or upon the uncircumcised also? For we say that faith was accounted to Abraham for righteousness. How then was it accounted? While he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? Not while circumcised, but while uncircumcised. And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while still uncircumcised, that he might be the father of all those who believe, though they are uncircumcised, that righteousness might be imputed to them also, and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of the faith which our father Abraham had while still uncircumcised." : The people listening to Paul's gospel must have been racking their brains trying to figure out then the power and necessity of ritual.
- Why did I have to be circumcised? I thought that that secured me a place of righteousness with God. Paul explains here the necessity of circumcision as confirming belief.
- Abraham's belief in God's Word was proven when He received circumcision. This was the sign for all of Abraham's people to show that they had also come to believe in the promise.
- Indeed, circumcision became the main thing to a Jewish person, but God never intended that to be the root of salvation. It is not the root, but the fruit of salvation.
- Notice verse 12 again. Circumcision was for the righteous ones of the bloodline, but also for those who walk in the steps of the faith which our Abraham had while still uncircumcised!
- That means that you have to be circumcised too to prove the genuine nature of your faith! Before you reach for your pocket knife, understand that this circumcision is not physical in nature.
- Turn with me to Colossians 2. Paul is talking with the believers at Colosse and warning them of the type of people who make ritual more important than relationship.
• Colossians 2:8-11 : "Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power. In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ,"
- Christ is the fulfillment of the symbol that circumcision once represented. Today, his spirit cuts away at the flesh that we would indulge otherwise, purifying us and making us ready for His service. This is the proof of our salvation.
- I don't want to steal any thunder, but this is exactly the argument that James makes in his epistle. He writes that Abraham was justified by his works when he was willing to sacrifice Isaac.
- Again, please remember that Paul is dealing with the root of salvation. James is dealing with the fruit. But that root, if it is truly rooted in Christ, will bear fruit of Christlikeness.
- There should be fruits in your life. In fact, Jesus says that we will be known by the fruits that produce. Fruits of obedience to God's Word, fruits of repentance, the Fruit of the Spirit, should all be marks of our walks with Christ.
- Paul is not just speaking about a faith that apprehends or comes to a logical conclusion. He is talking about a faith that apprehends and then lives in light of that belief.
- Verses 13 through 19 resets the story of Abraham. For the sake of time, let me point out the main issue here. Paul tells us that if it's going to be about the law, then we can only expect wrath.
- But now God has made the criteria right and focused belief.
• Romans 4:16 : "Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be sure to all the seed, not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all"
- Verse 17 and what follows is a great study on the type of faith that Abraham displayed. Note some of these very powerful words and phrases that describe Abraham's faith.
˚ "contrary to hope, in hope believed" (v.18)
˚ "He did not waver" (v.20)
˚ "being fully convinced" (v.21)
- I tell my children that when we read the Bible and we see things that we don't have, that we should ask for it. If you have a faith that is dependant on circumstances all making sense, it's not the faith of the Bible.
- I warn you however: If you pray for it you must be prepared to practice! The kind of faith that God observes and records for us in scripture, is one that is tested and grown over time.
- Today however is a good day to think about the faith that we currently possess.
- If your faith is easily moved and turned at every strong wind, then it's not the type of faith that Abraham displayed for us.
- If your faith is not fully convinced and resolute, then it's not a faith that will get you anywhere!
- These were marks of Abraham's faith that moved him to believe God when He made the promise and it move him to believe God when it looked like He would take it away.
- The strength of belief of faith carries us through this life. As Paul says, we are saved from faith to faith, from beginning to end. We came to Jesus in faith and we will be delivered to Him in the same way.
- But what is our faith pointed to? What is it's purpose? What is the point? Note Paul's words here at the end of this section.
• Romans 4:23-25 : "Now it was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him, but also for us. It shall be imputed to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead, who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification."
- Abraham's faith is not preserved for us to look at and stand in amazement. It's preservation is meant to be illustrative to our hearts. It's meant to be a pattern.
- Paul is saying that this happening to Abraham invites us to take part of the same experience.
- That faith that Abraham had in looking forward to Jesus, the seed of his descendancy, we have in looking back at that same Savior.
- Paul is saying that the same result of imputed righteousness will be given to us who have the same resolute trust in Jesus Christ.
- I love that final verse in this section: He was delivered up because of our offenses. It's our sin that put Jesus on the Cross. But here is the beauty: He was raised because of our justification!
˚ "Christ did meritoriously work our justification and salvation by his death and passion, but the efficacy and perfection thereof with respect to us depend on his resurrection . . . This one verse is an abridgement of the whole gospel."
- Our faith pointed bacward sees Jesus Christ, perfect in life, obedient in death, and powerful in resurrection. Our faith pointed forward sees Jesus Christ in full glory, with all power and glory.
Conclusion
- Faith, trust is what God is asking for. A faith that proves itself in actions. A faith that keeps our eyes focused on Jesus Christ.
- For our part, I pray that our faith may be strengthened. And on the part of the watching world, I pray that our actions and resolutions will move them to consider where their faith is.
- May it be that our faith brings such glory to the Lord that souls meet and embrace Jesus!
"The Prototype" • 1.20.09 • The Power Of One: One Man, One Life, One Mission, Session #11
Intro
- The remainder of chapters 2 and 3 solidly presents the case for universal guilt before God.
- Paul says the world is guilty and the Jews are also guilty before the Lord.
- Paul sums up that portion of his initial statement like this:
• Romans 3:20-23 : "Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,"
- The news is grim and dark and it begs the question, which Paul will spend the next section dealing with: "Who then can be saved and how?"
• Romans 3:28-30 : "Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law. Or is He the God of the Jews only? Is He not also the God of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also, since there is one God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith."
- Paul, being a remarkable scholar in his time, anticipates the question and decides that it's best to answer by illustration. He turns to the paradigm: Abraham.
- Abraham is revered by two world religions, Islam and Judaism. He is the Father of the Arabic people, the Patriarch of the Messianic line, as well as the Father of the Faith to Christians.
- Abraham was a man that by all accounts was considered and declared to be righteous by God. But how and when are the matters of deepest significance.
- As we look at this vital portion of scripture, let's be reminded that this was not some dry theological content that served as the trivial pursuit portion of the evening's entertainment.
- Paul was answering a question that helped define the mission of the church.
- What follows is an incredible display of Paul's brilliant, logical mind. We will break down the chapter in 3 sequential pieces.
I. The Primacy Of Belief (v.1-8)
II. The Proof Of Belief (v.9-15)
III. The Promise Of Belief (v.13-25)
TextII. The Proof Of Belief (v.9-15)
III. The Promise Of Belief (v.13-25)
I. The Primacy Of Belief (v.1-8)
• Romans 4:1-3 : "What then shall we say that Abraham our father has found according to the flesh? 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 accounted to him for righteousness.'" : The argument that one can be justified by his own works, circumcision, baptism, proselytism, etc, is destroyed as one looks back upon Abraham's story.- Somebody could look at Abraham and remember that he left his homeland at God's call. And then, later in life, he was circumcised. These were great "works."
- However, it was after Abraham left and before he was circumcised that God put him to the test that would determine his standing.
- Turn with me to Genesis 15. Abraham has just returned from an unlikely, yet absolutely heroic rescue of his nephew Lot. He went into utter danger and has now returned, realizing what had happened.
- God makes a bold promise to Abraham regarding the family that Abraham would have. Abraham in frustration replies that he had no heir. Then God ups the ante.
• Genesis 15:5,6 : "Then He brought him outside and said, 'Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them.' And He said to him, 'So shall your descendants be.' And he believed in the Lord, and He accounted it to him for righteousness."
- Look up? That will be your family! Abraham listened, and then believed the Lord despite his own doubts and the circumstances that he faced.
- For one, his wife was barren according to Genesis 11:30. To make matters worse, he was pretty advanced in age at this time.
- God saw in Abraham's heart a trust that God would carry out His word in spite of what he saw. God saw this, and the Bible records that God "accounted it" to him for righteousness.
- The word "accounted" I imagine, is easily understood. It means that God took this man's trust and belief and put righteousness in his bank!
- A little more, and maybe we'll really apprehend what happened here. When God saw Abraham's trust, He was moved and saw that belief as the equivalent value to living a perfect life!
- That is what that word means. The trust that any man places in God to bring about His Word is worth the equivalent to a perfect life!
- Now, this is very important to understand: God did not make Him righteous. He declared him to be righteous. Look at what Paul says next.
• Romans 4:4-8 : "Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness, just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works: 'Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, And whose sins are covered; Blessed is the man to whom the Lord shall not impute sin.'"
- The explanation here is that a man may attempt to work and get God's attention with what he does. But what he does not realize is that what he thinks is gaining him favor is actually working against him!
- The only hope is not outdo our evil works with good works. Our only hope is that God covers our sin and covers us with His righteousness.
II. The Proof Of Belief (v.9-12)
• Romans 4:9-12 : "Does this blessedness then come upon the circumcised only, or upon the uncircumcised also? For we say that faith was accounted to Abraham for righteousness. How then was it accounted? While he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? Not while circumcised, but while uncircumcised. And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while still uncircumcised, that he might be the father of all those who believe, though they are uncircumcised, that righteousness might be imputed to them also, and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of the faith which our father Abraham had while still uncircumcised." : The people listening to Paul's gospel must have been racking their brains trying to figure out then the power and necessity of ritual.
- Why did I have to be circumcised? I thought that that secured me a place of righteousness with God. Paul explains here the necessity of circumcision as confirming belief.
- Abraham's belief in God's Word was proven when He received circumcision. This was the sign for all of Abraham's people to show that they had also come to believe in the promise.
- Indeed, circumcision became the main thing to a Jewish person, but God never intended that to be the root of salvation. It is not the root, but the fruit of salvation.
- Notice verse 12 again. Circumcision was for the righteous ones of the bloodline, but also for those who walk in the steps of the faith which our Abraham had while still uncircumcised!
- That means that you have to be circumcised too to prove the genuine nature of your faith! Before you reach for your pocket knife, understand that this circumcision is not physical in nature.
- Turn with me to Colossians 2. Paul is talking with the believers at Colosse and warning them of the type of people who make ritual more important than relationship.
• Colossians 2:8-11 : "Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power. In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ,"
- Christ is the fulfillment of the symbol that circumcision once represented. Today, his spirit cuts away at the flesh that we would indulge otherwise, purifying us and making us ready for His service. This is the proof of our salvation.
- I don't want to steal any thunder, but this is exactly the argument that James makes in his epistle. He writes that Abraham was justified by his works when he was willing to sacrifice Isaac.
- Again, please remember that Paul is dealing with the root of salvation. James is dealing with the fruit. But that root, if it is truly rooted in Christ, will bear fruit of Christlikeness.
- There should be fruits in your life. In fact, Jesus says that we will be known by the fruits that produce. Fruits of obedience to God's Word, fruits of repentance, the Fruit of the Spirit, should all be marks of our walks with Christ.
- Paul is not just speaking about a faith that apprehends or comes to a logical conclusion. He is talking about a faith that apprehends and then lives in light of that belief.
III. The Promise Of Belief (v.13-25)
- Verses 13 through 19 resets the story of Abraham. For the sake of time, let me point out the main issue here. Paul tells us that if it's going to be about the law, then we can only expect wrath.
- But now God has made the criteria right and focused belief.
• Romans 4:16 : "Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be sure to all the seed, not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all"
- Verse 17 and what follows is a great study on the type of faith that Abraham displayed. Note some of these very powerful words and phrases that describe Abraham's faith.
˚ "contrary to hope, in hope believed" (v.18)
˚ "He did not waver" (v.20)
˚ "being fully convinced" (v.21)
- I tell my children that when we read the Bible and we see things that we don't have, that we should ask for it. If you have a faith that is dependant on circumstances all making sense, it's not the faith of the Bible.
- I warn you however: If you pray for it you must be prepared to practice! The kind of faith that God observes and records for us in scripture, is one that is tested and grown over time.
- Today however is a good day to think about the faith that we currently possess.
- If your faith is easily moved and turned at every strong wind, then it's not the type of faith that Abraham displayed for us.
- If your faith is not fully convinced and resolute, then it's not a faith that will get you anywhere!
- These were marks of Abraham's faith that moved him to believe God when He made the promise and it move him to believe God when it looked like He would take it away.
- The strength of belief of faith carries us through this life. As Paul says, we are saved from faith to faith, from beginning to end. We came to Jesus in faith and we will be delivered to Him in the same way.
- But what is our faith pointed to? What is it's purpose? What is the point? Note Paul's words here at the end of this section.
• Romans 4:23-25 : "Now it was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him, but also for us. It shall be imputed to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead, who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification."
- Abraham's faith is not preserved for us to look at and stand in amazement. It's preservation is meant to be illustrative to our hearts. It's meant to be a pattern.
- Paul is saying that this happening to Abraham invites us to take part of the same experience.
- That faith that Abraham had in looking forward to Jesus, the seed of his descendancy, we have in looking back at that same Savior.
- Paul is saying that the same result of imputed righteousness will be given to us who have the same resolute trust in Jesus Christ.
- I love that final verse in this section: He was delivered up because of our offenses. It's our sin that put Jesus on the Cross. But here is the beauty: He was raised because of our justification!
˚ "Christ did meritoriously work our justification and salvation by his death and passion, but the efficacy and perfection thereof with respect to us depend on his resurrection . . . This one verse is an abridgement of the whole gospel."
Matthew Poole
˚ "Faith in the historical events of the life of Jesus will not save. Faith in the beauty of Jesus’ life will not save. Faith in the accuracy or goodness of Jesus’ teaching will not save. Faith in the deity of Jesus, and in His Lordship will not save. There are many false-faiths that can never save, and only faith in what Jesus accomplished on the cross and through empty tomb can save us." David Guzik
- In many ways, the faith that we are fighting for is exactly tied up in this. Our faith is pointing us now to the resurrection that we will enjoy.- Our faith pointed bacward sees Jesus Christ, perfect in life, obedient in death, and powerful in resurrection. Our faith pointed forward sees Jesus Christ in full glory, with all power and glory.
Conclusion
- Faith, trust is what God is asking for. A faith that proves itself in actions. A faith that keeps our eyes focused on Jesus Christ.
- For our part, I pray that our faith may be strengthened. And on the part of the watching world, I pray that our actions and resolutions will move them to consider where their faith is.
- May it be that our faith brings such glory to the Lord that souls meet and embrace Jesus!
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