Bible study: Romans 4:1-5

Grace Alone, Faith Alone, Christ Alone

Part 4:Text Romans 4:1-5

“What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has found? For if Abraham was justified [was saved] by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? “ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS”. Now to the one who works, his wage is not credited as a favor, but what is due. But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness”.

The majority of people who have surrendered their lives to Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord have come out of churches or other religious systems that taught that it was possible for a born sinner to earn, or to play a co-operative role along with Jesus Christ in redeeming themselves. For the past three weeks we have shared with you the truth that God’s standard of salvation has never, at any time, called for sinners to “work” to earn Heaven, because it is not possible (Romans 3:23). Our text this week, along with our last three weeks studies in Ephesians 2:8-10, Galatians 2:20-21, and Romans 11:5-6, is another clear illustration of this truth.

In Romans 3, Paul writes to his Jewish critics that the entire world is guilty before God, and that salvation is a free gift that cannot be earned. In Chapter 4, he supports his argument by going all the way back to the beginning; to Abraham. The Jews believed that Abraham “worked” to “earn” Heaven. But Verse 2 says that if Abraham was justified, or saved by his own effort, he has something to brag about; but not in God’s presence. In verse 3, Paul quotes Genesis 15:6, where God promised Abraham and Sarah a son when they were both quite old (also read Genesis 12:1-9 and Hebrews 11:8-19.) Abraham, by helpless, unseen faith, believed in God’s promises. He only saw one promise become a reality; the birth of his son, Isaac. As a result, his trust in God was credited to him as having God’s righteousness; not his own.

In verses 4-5, Paul clearly contrasts the futility of works with true salvation. The wages, or payment for a persons attempts to “work” for Heaven, do not find favor or admiration in the sight of God. Why? It is because that is not God’s standard for salvation, but rather that persons man-made religious standard or his own self-imposed standard of evaluation. In contrast, verse 5 tells us that the one who does not trust his works for salvation, but rather by helpless faith by placing his trust in the promises of God, that his ungodly, unrighteous soul will be saved, and be given God’s righteousness. (Read Philippians 3:7-10.)

Friends, we are not saved from our sins and declared righteous on the basis of where we attend a worship service. In stark contrast, what we personally believe about HOW we are saved will determine where we will spend eternity. Based on what we have considered so far in this series, are you in agreement with God’s standard of salvation, which is embracing with a heart of gratitude God’s grace alone, through faith alone, in Jesus Christ alone. If not, our prayer is that you would begin to consider, perhaps for the first time in your life, where you will spend eternity. With much respect, to assume that you are “good enough” for entry into Heaven based on your personal standards of evaluation does the following: it minimizes the seriousness of your sins, and it tramples on and blasphemes the grace that God showed you by sending Jesus to die in your place. It is the epitome of self-righteous pride and arrogance. On the authority of what we have considered, no one has, is now, or ever will be in Heaven whose heart displays these attributes.

As always, if you would like to speak with one of our staff members, we would count it an honor to speak with you. Life is but a vapor. Eternity if forever. It has no end.

Steve Visconti