ROMANS SERIES by Louis Bartet Title: Understanding Justification by Faith
Text: Romans 4:1-25
Key Text: "For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law." (Romans 3:28, NASB)
INTRODUCTION: In Chapter Three, Paul declares four things:
1. The whole world stands guilty before God (vv. 1-18).
2. The Law is not the means to righteousness, but the means by which God unveils the sinfulness of sin (vv. 19, 20).
3. Jews and Gentiles alike are made righteous apart from the works of the Law, through faith in Jesus Christ (vv. 21-30).
4. Faith does not nullify the Law, but establishes the Law.
In Chapter Four, Paul uses Old Testament evidence to prove we are justified by faith.
I. RIGHTEOUSNESS COME BY FAITH (Romans 4:1-8)
A. THE PERSON OF ABRAHAM (4:1-3) - The principle character in these verses is Abraham. No one will deny that he was a righteous man. The question is, what was the source of his righteousness.
1. What shall we say? (4:1-2)
a. Abraham was justified by works?
b. If so, then he has something to boast about.
2. What does Scripture say? (4:3)
a. Abraham believed God.
b. God gave Abraham righteousness for faith.
B. THE PRINCIPLE (4:4-5)
1. Works earn wages, while faith encounters grace.
2. The blessing of righteousness is obtained by grace through faith.
Rom 4:5 - "to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness"
C. THE PROCLAIMATION (vv. 6-8) - In these verses Paul quotes David, who uses grace words and phrases with reference to God and sin (Ps. 32:1, 2).
1. The result of grace - Forgiven (v. 7)
2. The action of grace - Covered (v.7)
3. The attitude of grace - Not to take into account (v.8)
II. RIGHTEOUSNESS APART FROM CIRCUMCISION (Romans 4:9-12) - In Chapter Three, Paul revealed that righteousness is available apart from the Law (Romans 23:21-22). In these verses Paul exhibits the wisdom of God as he reveals that the righteousness of God is available apart from circumcision. What a blow to the Jewish legalist.
A. CIRCUMCIONS CAME AFTER RIGHTEOUSNESS (Romans 4:9-10)
B. CIRCUMCISION WAS THE SEAL NOT THE MEANS (Romans 4:11) - Abraham's circumcision, like Noah's rainbow was simply a sign. It was God's statement of approval written in the flesh of Abraham. It was the result of an obedient act of faith. It is interesting to note that Ishmael was circumcised yet he was cast out (Genesis 17:23-25).
II. ABRAHAM'S INHERITANCE WAS BASED UPON THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF FAITH NOT THE WORKS OF THE LAW (Romans 4:13-17a).A. THE PROMISE WAS MADE BEFORE THE EXISTENCE OF THE LAW (Romans 4:13). The promise was given to Abraham. The Law was given to Moses, and the provision came in the person of Jesus Christ.
B. IF THE INHERITANCE IS OBTAINED THROUGH LAW, TWO THINGS ARE LOST (Romans 4:14, 15).
1. Faith is made void (v. 14). If the promise must be earned then it is out of reach and faith is of no affect.
2. The promise is worthless (vv. 14, 15). If the promise must be earned then it is out of reach. It is lost forever.
C. FAITH ALONE CAN OBTAIN THE PROMISE (Romans 4:15-17a).
1. Faith can work with grace while the Law cannot. "Where there is no law, neither is there violation. For this reason it is by faith, that it might be in accordance with grace" (vv. 15, 16).
2. Faith brings the promise to fruition (vv. 16-17a).
a. Faith made Abraham righteous before Christ.
b. Faith made him a father before he had a son.
c. Faith made him an heir while he yet lived as an alien in the land of promise (Hebrews 11:8-10).
IV. THE CHARACTER OF ABRAHAM'S FAITH (Romans 4:17b-25).
A. THE SOURCE OF HIS FAITH (Romans 4:17b). Abraham's faith sprang out of his knowledge of God's ability.
1. God's resurrection power - "God, who gives life to the dead."
2. God's creative powers - "and calls into being that which does not exist."
B. THE STRENGTH OF HIS FAITH (Romans 4:18-20).
A KEY VERSE: "Yet, with respect to the promise of God he did not waver in unbelief, but grew strong in faith" (v. 20).
1. His faith grew strong in spite of the situation's hopelessness (v. 18).
2. His faith grew strong in spite of the negative evidence (v. 19).
3. He acknowledged the promise of God and it grew his faith (v. 20).
C. THE WORSHIPFULNESS OF HIS FAITH (Romans 4:20) - "he…grew strong in faith, giving glory to God" (v. 20).D. THE CONFESSION OF HIS FAITH (Romans 4:21). What He has promised He is able to do.
E. THE FRUIT OF HIS FAITH (Romans 4:22). Righteousness!
CONCLUSION
Romans 4:23-25 - "Now it was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him, but also for us. It shall be imputed to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead, who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification." (NKJV)
Abraham was declared righteous by faith apart from the works of the Law. The same faith that saved him will save us, when placed in what He has accomplished through the person of the Lord Jesus Christ, His Son.
FOUR PRINCIPLES OF RIGHTEOUSNESS REVEALED IN CHAPTER FOUR
PRINCIPLE #1: Works earn wages while faith obtains favor. The blessing of righteousness is obtained by grace through faith.
PRINCIPLE #2: Works do not save they are a sign of an existing condition. (See 1John 2:29; 3:7-10).
PRINCIPLE #3: Only faith can inherit the promise of God. Law keeping negates faith. Law keeping seeks to earn the promise and encounters the wrath of God.
PRINCIPLE #4: Faith must begin in God, stand the promise of God, worship in the absence of natural proof, confess the facts of its conviction, and it will receive the reward. (Hebrews 10:35-39).
===DISCUSSION QUESTIONS===
1. If keeping the Law does not save us, what part does the Law play in our salvation? (Romans 3:20; 5:20)
2. Is it a statement of doubt to admit personal weakness, inability or the existence of disease in our physical body? (Romans 4:19)
3. Name one way which we can strengthen our faith. (Romans 4:20).
4. What must a person do to be reckoned righteous by God? (Romans 4:24; Acts 16:31)
5. How could the truths of Romans Four, change the lives of the following people?
a. The sinner
b. The backslider
c. The believer
d. You(C) 1995 by louis bartet
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