Today’s Bible Reading: Romans 1-4
Journal Entry on a passage from today’s reading:
Topic: Justification
SCRIPTURE: Romans 4:2-5, 23-25
2 If, in fact,
Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about — but not
before God. 3 What does
the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as
righteousness." 4
Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an
obligation. 5 However, to
the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is
credited as righteousness. (Rom 4:2-5 NIV)
23 The words
"it was credited to him" were written not for him alone, 24 but also for us, to whom
God will credit righteousness — for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our
Lord from the dead. 25 He
was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our
justification. (Rom 4:23-25 NIV)
OBSERVATION:
From both biblical texts and the
literature of the day we see that Abraham is a figure that looms large. His
significance to the Hebrews cannot be understated. Because of this, Paul had to
deal with those who insisted that the Gentiles’ accepting and receiving Christ
was not enough. To be a true child of Abraham, they contended, one must fully
endorse and live by the Torah (the Law). Paul fervently combated such ideology,
insisting that Jews and Gentiles alike are saved only by grace through faith
and not by works of the law. Paul here introduces a new way of seeing Abraham
as an example of the contrast of faith versus works and quotes directly from
the Torah, “Abram believed the Lord, and
he credited it to him as righteousness” (Gen 15:6 NIV). Before this the
Hebrew people and teachers of the Law had viewed Abraham’s faith and his works
together, not separate. Paul points out that it was because Abraham believed
God that it was accounted to him as righteousness. Thus, even father Abraham
was justified by the grace of God through his faith, not his righteous
works.
APPLICATION:
What was true for Abraham is true
for us (vv. 23-24): Christ’s death covers the death I should rightly suffer for
my sins (see Romans 6:23), and because of Christ’s resurrection from death, I
am justified (made to be in right standing) before God and thus the beneficiary
of life eternal. Evangelical Christians generally understand this revealed
truth. We are saved only by the grace of God through Christ Jesus, and not by
our righteous behavior or acts of goodness no matter how benevolent they may
be. Paul beats the drum for this truth repeatedly in his epistles. So how is it
that so many evangelicals still are driven to the pursuit of works? “Well,” you
might be thinking, “Go into all the world and preach the Gospel, and go and be
witnesses” are commands we are to do—that’s
what evangelical means!” No argument about that from me except that I contend
that these commands are to be lived out in our relationship with God using the
gifts He has given us each individually and in the strength and leading of the
Holy Spirit. If we are merely looking for and strategizing ways and means of doing these works, we are missing
the major truth that we are to live in faith relationship With God in Christ. It
is He who will bring the increase; it is He who will bring ministry opportunities;
it is He who will direct our paths. These are very real opportunities to
fulfill His commands out of relationship with Him, not just making ourselves do right things.
PRAYER:
Lord, thank You for illuminating the truth that the credit
of righteousness conferred upon us is free, not earned. As a preacher and
teacher called by You, may my encouragement to others lead them toward living
in relationship with You more than driving them to fulfill commands.
Through Christ for our best and Your glory. Amen. –AP
