May 19, 2023 – Friday
Romans 4:4-8 NIV
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.
8 Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord will never count against them.” Psalm 32:1, 2
Comments
More verses than usual today, but please bear with me. I find it amazing how Paul will use common sense statements to build on to show how they differ from faith. Take for instance verse four above, 4 Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. I don’t think any one of us would read this and think anything other than, “Of course! That’s how things work.” That’s right, simple straightforward common sense.
But then comes something radically different in verse five, 5 However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness. Whoa! Wait a minute! That might be your reaction. After all this is not the common sense of the world that we live in. No, it is not. Instead, it is the Good News or Gospel of Jesus Christ. There is no work involved here, only faith. But to God that faith is very important. So important that even for the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness. In fact Paul says the one who trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness.
Still not convinced? Okay, then Paul tells us 6 David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the one to whom God credits righteousness apart from works: and then quotes from Psalm 32 of David, verses 1, 2, 7 “Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. 8 Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord will never count against them.” That is the Good News
You might think Paul is done now, but he is not. Next, he makes clear in the next four verses when he argues it is for the uncircumcised as well as for the circumcised. He notes that Abraham received a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. I really like how Paul summarizes all of this in verse 16, 16 Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who have the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all.
Bottom Line: Abraham set the example for all of us, that God’s promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring. If we have the faith of Abraham, then he is our father in the faith as well.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for the example of Abraham so we might have his ancient example to follow as well as so many that came after him. Please bless us in our walk as we follow Your Son, our Lord and Savior. – In Jesus’ Name. Amen.,
RileyD, nwJ
Riley D. Driver – Pastor
Calvary Chapel of Dayton
in Beavercreek