Paul continues the theme of grace into chapter 4 of Romans.  He uses perhaps the most revered figure in Jewish culture, Abraham as an example that we are not made right with God by our acts but by grace through faith.  Let’s look at what he has to say together today from Romans 4. 

What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, discovered in this matter? 2 If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God. 3 What does Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”4 Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. 5 However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness. 6 David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the one to whom God credits righteousness apart from works: 7 “Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord will never count against them.”

Paul uses the strongest argument that he can come up with in the person of Abraham.  If Abraham can’t be good enough to earn favor with God through his own righteousness than how can any of us try and do that.  He even throws in David’s words as well to further make his point.  This is a good reminder for us all because while we all probably know the truth of being reconciled to God by grace and not works, we can slip into faulty thin king at times.  It is easy finding yourself trying to “do” to earn favor with God.  Our “doing” always needs to be done out of love for God and others not out of a sense of needing to earn God’s approval.  This is hard because everything else in life is based on performing to earn approval.  Today rest in the truth that your approval is already there not because of you but because of Jesus.  That frees us to live the kind of lives where we boldly share the love of Christ wherever we go. 

In His Grip,
Pastor Dave