Scripture to Read: Romans 4:1–3
We saw last week, in Romans 3, how God used Paul to ask some critical questions about every person being justified before God through faith. As we unpack Romans 4 this week, God has Paul start with another question in Romans 4:1, “What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has found?” So, God has Paul ask the Jewish believers in Rome to take into account what Abraham discovered about being made right with God. God used Paul to get the Jewish believers in Rome to understand that faith in God is the key to being made right with God. For then, God had Paul write in Romans 4:2, “For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God.” In other words, If Abraham’s good works had justified (just as if Abraham had never sinned) him before God, Abraham could have boasted about himself and his good works. But God’s plan was never about us bragging in ourselves or boasting in our good works to be made right with Him. We know this is true because God reminds us of His Truth in Romans 4:3, which was first recorded in Genesis 15:6. God’s Word tells us, in Genesis 15:6, that Abraham believed in (trusted in, clung to, relied on) God, and therefore, God regarded Abraham as righteous because Abraham placed all of his faith in God. The salvation from the power and penalty of sin God offers to people has always been given through people putting their faith in Him.
Challenge & Application
Why did God have Paul use Abraham as an example of one who trusted God fully?
How are you putting your faith into action each day so others see you trust God in all areas of your life?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!