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Romans 4:1-8
Now that Paul has finished his teaching that man is a sinner.
And that man cannot be justified by works, but only through faith in Jesus Christ.
He now begins with some illustrations to show the truth of what he taught in chapter 3.
Within chapter four, Paul uses five arguments to refute the commonly held view that Abraham was justified by good works:
vs. 1-5 - Theological - where he picks apart theological ideas
vs. 6-8 - Hermeneutical - dealing with the interpretation of OT scripture.
vs. 9-12 - Historical - Looking at historical facts to illustrate his point.
vs. 13-17a - Logical - Logically applied the same faith that Abraham, how would that not be the same to those who would be his heirs?
vs. 17b-25 - Experiential - Paul pointed to the experiences of Abraham and faith, and then Paul’s own experiences.
So today we are going to look at Paul’s first two illustrations.
I. Theological Illustration
vs. 4-5
Paul in his first illustration takes the theology of what was said regarding Abraham in the Old Testament and uses it to illustrate his point.
Paul’s point is that we are not justified by works, but by faith.
So he turns to...
A. Abraham’s Example
v. 1-3
Abraham was highly revered as the father of the nation, but also of their belief.
His argument would speak very strongly to the Jewish Believers in Rome.
But even the gentile believers would have a high regard for this man.
We sing the song
Father Abraham, had many sons
Many sons had Father Abraham
I am one of them, and so are you
So let’s just praise the Lord.
So Abraham our father, what did he find?...
1. Could not Boast
“For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.”
If Abraham were justified by works, he could boast in his works.
At least he could boast in front of people.
He did right, more than others did.
Be believed, and followed God, more than others.
So he could boast before other people…I’m better than you because of my works.
He could boast for himself.
He could make himself feel good.
But as the verse says, not before God.
Many people are familiar with the treadmill, a piece of exercise equipment.
They can be found in all fitness centers and gyms, in a good number of homes, and even in some hotels and businesses.
Their styles and prices range from the moderate to the extravagant, but most treadmills have at least a speed adjustment so the user can control how fast he or she wants to walk or run.
The treadmill is [also] found in many hospitals and doctor’s offices to measure the amount of stress upon a patient’s heart.
The individual who takes the treadmill test there is unable to control the speed according to his own comfort level.
There, it is the doctor who controls the rate of speed.
When a patient with a bad heart takes the treadmill test under a doctor’s supervision, he rarely does well enough to pass the test—even though he does the best he can.
The test reveals a clear fact: he needs the immediate care of the doctor.
Likewise, if men are left on their own to set their own standards and pace in life, they might feel they are doing just fine.
But when put to the test by the Great Physician, the Lord Jesus Christ, they fail every time.
It is then and only then that they recognize their need for help beyond themselves, help that only God can provide.
This is the importance of understanding that it is your faith in Christ alone that makes you acceptable to God, not just doing the best you can!
There is no room for boasting about our righteousness before God.
Our righteousness, any works that we do, are stained by sin.
So there is no boasting about the good works we do before God!
So the only thing Abraham, or I have left is our Faith in Jesus Christ and His finished work for salvation.
And when we look at that, there is no boasting available.
Because Abraham was...
2. Counted as Righteous
Vs. 3
“For what saith the scripture?
Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.”
Counted - this word is passive - it receives the action, not does the action.
It means to put on someones account.
If I were to check my bank account today, andsee that someone deposited $10,000 in my account, I could not boast of my hard work that earned that money.
I did nothing to get it.
It was a gift.
Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
When we believe in Jesus, we are saved, we are justified, we are forgiven.
It is a gift, and we cannot boast about it.
Then Paul moves to another aspect as Illustration...
B. Employee’s Example
vs. 4-5
“Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.”
Paul is saying, if a man works, his wages is not considered a gift, but a debt…or that which he earns.
So we see two decisions...
1. Works Receives the Earnings
If you choose to work, or earn your salvation, you will receive your earnings.
We cannot earn it, achieve it, or work for it.
It is by grace.
so, Works Receives Earnings
But then we see the other option...
2. Faith Receives the Gift
v. 5
“But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.”
If you are not focused on working, but rather just believing, God promises that your faith is counted for righteousness, just like Abrahams.
Believe on Him that justifieth
He marks our account as saying - this person has never sinned!
He is justified.
II.
Hermeneutical Illustration
Again hermeneutics is a word that is used in studying the Bible.
It just means how we interpret the Scripture.
Previously we had seen the example of Abraham and what the Bible says about him.
We saw the theological aspects of his example, now Paul turns to, and quotes, a passage from Psalms, written by David in verses 6-8.
6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,
7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.
8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.
Paul uses Psalm 32:1-2 as his Illustration.
He says that David was describing the blessed state of the man, who God imputes (puts on his account) righteousness without works.
What happens to this man?
A. Sin Not Imputed
v. 8 says
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