Castlebar Christian Fellowship

Abraham: the reference point for faith!

Romans 4:1-8
1 What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather, discovered in this matter?
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.
6 David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:
7Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.
8 Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him.
Introduction:
V1 What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather, discovered in this matter? In what matter we might ask. If you look at the previous chapter Paul has already let us know that we were in an impossible predicament apart from the avalanche of grace that rescues us. This incredible grace was demonstrated for us at the cross.
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
24 and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. Romans 3:23-24.
Calvary we're told is level ground. None of us can come to God on the basis of our own merit. All we can bring to the cross is our sin. No matter who we are we can only be justified by faith alone. For we maintain that a man(or woman) is justified by faith apart from observing the law. Romans 3:28
What is justification by faith you might ask? One writer, reminds us by way of definition and summary of Romans.
Justification by faith - getting right with God, being acquitted in his court, being forgiven for our sins, being declared righteous and having the righteousness of Christ imputed to us, and our sins imputed to him, (not becoming righteous, but being counted as righteous while we are still sinners), and all this by faith alone - that is what the first eight chapters of Romans are mostly about. For the apostle Paul, it was the heart of the gospel message. The book of Romans is the fullest, most systematic, most extensive effort of the apostle Paul to put his message in writing. And it is all structured around the great truth of justification by faith. - End quote. (John Piper)
Paul reminds us, there is no room for boasting whatsoever? God has made the same way for Jew and Gentile to be saved. Ironically the faith approach to God does not undermine the law in the slightest but in fact "upholds the law". As Eugene Peterson paraphrases the question; By shifting our focus from what we do to what God does, don't we cancel out all our careful keeping of the rules and ways God commanded? Not at all. What happens, in fact, is that by putting that entire way of life in its proper place, we confirm it. Romans 3:31
Why does Paul introduce discussion about Abraham at this point?
Abraham: The model of our faith.
When we think of Abraham we think of foundational teaching regarding our Christian faith. The Jews looked back to Abraham as their wellspring of inspiration; their model believer. He was the progenitor of their race and the prototype of their faith. He was regarded as Father Abraham and as the friend of God. They took great pride in their connection with Abraham.
It was important for Paul to show that Christianity and the Gospel were not innovations. This fast growing Christian movement was not some new-fangled, flash in the pan novelty that would soon be consigned to the dust of history. He had already pointed out in this letter that the gospel was in continuity with what all God had previously revealed. It was deeply imbedded in the scriptures. (Romans 1:1-2 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God-
2 the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures
3:21 But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.)
It was important that these original listeners would hear what Paul had to say about Abraham the touchstone of their faith. Abraham's story was the test case that set the precedent for all his natural and spiritual descendants. If what Paul was saying was to be received and accepted, it was vital that it squared up with their renowned and eminent ancestor, Abraham.
It was important that they also heard what Paul had to say about Abraham from the scriptures. This was essential for at least two reasons. He had to show the connection of this good news with all that God had previously revealed but also he had to demolish some misleading notions regarding Abraham that were current popular views of the time.
One sceptic once put it that a saint is by definition, "a dead sinner revised and edited". This has a measure of truth. It has happened down through the ages (even in Christian circles!) that biographies have airbrushed the awkward bits out of the story. The bible is so refreshing by contrast in that it portrays the saints, 'warts and all'.
In the religious literature of the first century, Abraham was held in very high esteem as one would expect. However it's also evident in these contemporary writings that it could be implied that Abraham was a friend of God because of his virtuous life. Just listen to some of the writings of that time; "Abraham was perfect in all his deeds with the Lord and well-pleasing in righteousness all the days of his life." Jubilees 23:10 (Over 100 B.C.) Another source tells us,
"We find that Abraham our father had performed the whole law before it was given." Kiddushim 4:14
One source tells us, "that Abraham began to serve God at the age of three, and that his righteousness was made complete by his circumcision and his anticipatory fulfilment of the law." (William Hendriksen)
There was a tendency to make exaggerated claims about Abraham and "to attach Abraham's righteousness to the 'testing' episode regarding his son Isaac in Genesis 22 and to draw a connection between God's covenant with Abraham and his obedience to the law." (Douglas Moo)
Paul wants to shatter any sort of ideas that we can somehow merit God's favour. He points out quite clearly that Abraham's acceptance with God was not anything that Abraham had accomplished but rather something that God had done for him. It was not something he had achieved but rather it was his response to God's gracious kindness. Abraham had believed God's promise and received right standing with God. Paul makes him the pattern for all believers.
I'll read that passage from Genesis 15:1-6 (NLT)
1 Some time later, the LORD spoke to Abram in a vision and said to him, "Do not be afraid, Abram, for I will protect you, and your reward will be great."
2 But Abram replied, "O Sovereign LORD, what good are all your blessings when I don't even have a son? Since you've given me no children, Eliezer of Damascus, a servant in my household, will inherit all my wealth. 3 You have given me no descendants of my own, so one of my servants will be my heir."
4 Then the LORD said to him, "No, your servant will not be your heir, for you will have a son of your own who will be your heir." 5 Then the LORD took Abram outside and said to him, "Look up into the sky and count the stars if you can. That's how many descendants you will have!"
6 And Abram believed the LORD, and the LORD counted him as righteous because of his faith.

Returning to Romans 4:2
V2 If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about
- but not before God. Paul is not saying that there are in fact two ways to be justified, one before men and the other before God.
People may have assessed Abraham as a great achiever before God; that he somehow clocked up great merit in God's sight through his own virtuous obedience; that he self-improved over a probationary period of time and then at some point got God's stamp of approval. That may be a common assessment of Abraham but that is not God's assessment of the situation.
Those words at the beginning of verse two are hypothetical they are an 'if clause'. V2 If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works. Paul goes on to show us that this is not in fact the case.
("But from God's point of view he [Abraham] has no reason to boast." William Hendriksen)
This story is not about what Abraham has done for God but about what God has done for Abraham. (And glorious good news what he has done for us through Christ!) Get back to the bible and have a good look at its account of Abraham! That's what Paul is telling the first recipients of this letter and also telling us.
V3 What does the Scripture say? Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.
What's the 'it' in verse three? Answer: "The simply taking God at His word" (Vaughan) That moment of faith was the turning point in his life!
By way of reminder faith is not some sort of basis of merit for gaining righteousness but it's the means by which we receive righteousness. This gift of righteousness ('right standing with God') is appropriated by faith, which is also a gift from God. (Ephesians 2:8)
It was credited to him The Greek word that's used here (logizomai) means to count, reckon, estimate, consider, ponder and credit. It can mean "to put to one's account". (In the papyri it frequently means this.)
The KJV in vv 3-25 uses 'count', 'reckon', and 'impute' all for the same verb. (The ESV consistently uses the word count, counts and counted.) I've counted the same word at least 11 times throughout this passage.
The Hebrew verb "is frequently used to indicate what a person, considered by himself, is not, or does not have, but is reckoned, held, or regarded to be, or to have." (William Hendriksen) It can be used in a negative sense, e.g. when Eli the priest saw Hannah praying in such an unusual way. He reckoned that she was drunk.(She wasn't drunk.) (1Samuel 1:13) (Also Genesis 38:15)
Here it's used in a positive sense. "To Abraham is ascribed or imputed that which he does not himself possess." (W.H.)

That response of trust in God resulted in a heavenly transaction taking place. His account was suddenly credited with the righteousness of God. He was given something that he did not have naturally as his own or that he somehow could ever achieve or earn. I believe he was given the righteousness of Christ. (Jesus said, Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad. John 8:56)
V4 Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation.
At the end of the week when the employee receives his wage packet (These days: That's usually an invisible bank transaction, but for the sake of my point!) when the employee receives his wage packet if he saw his employer beaming at him and then heard the words "I want to present this packet to you because I am very impressed with your performance." The employee thanks him very much and upon opening the packet with eager anticipation, discover that it's simply his regular wage. How do you think he'd feel? "My boss has gone raving mad. I've worked hard all this week and he's given me what he's obliged to give me. Does he think he's given me a present or something?" There is total difference between wages and a gift.
I'm reminded that (in contrast to that little flight of imagination) if in fact we were to get our wages on pay day it would not be a happy outcome. We would be getting our due pay but it would not be a pay day it would be a pay-eternity. (For the wages of sin is death, Romans 6:23) But thankfully there is good news, For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.)
Paul is pointing out that what Abraham had received from God in that moment of believing, was a gift. It wasn't something he had earned or deserved. God is never obliged to give us any blessing. As Paul explains later (Romans 5:17) it's "the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness". That's what Abraham received.
In Romans 3:24 were reminded that we "are justified by his grace as a gift". (ESV)
The one who thinks he can work to gain God's favour, who thinks God's favour is his due, his well earned wage, is now sharply contrasted with (V5) the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness.
The one who does not work but trusts God: As somebody pointed out he is not canonizing laziness, he is simply and clearly making the point that we are not justified by anything that we can bring to the equation. Paul goes on to make an even more startling declaration in v5.
God who justifies the wicked (the ungodly). These words seem to run so totally in contradiction to what God has already said in his word. They seem "to make God guilty of an injustice." (D. Moo). Gods word declares, Proverbs 17:15; Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent- the LORD detests them both. Exodus 23:7 Have nothing to do with a false charge and do not put an innocent or honest person to death, for I will not acquit the guilty. (See also Isaiah 5:23.) The only answer to this conundrum is Calvary, Where- "[God] made [Christ] who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." (God's righteousness becomes ours in Christ.) 2 Corinthians 5:21 The Great Transaction.

At least one thing that this verse tells us (God who justifies the wicked) is that we can't get our act together and then come to God. We must come as we are. There is no other way. What a terrible plight we'd be in if God only started to love when we cleaned up our act. However were again reminded by Paul, Christ died for the ungodly. Romans 5:6
The person portrayed here is described as ungodly.
The moment that 'ungodly' person believes, his faith is credited as righteousness.


Not only is Abraham the model of our faith but,
David: The pattern of our happiness.
V6 Thus David congratulates the man and pronounces a blessing on him to whom God credits righteousness apart from the works he does:
Blessed and happy and to be envied are those whose iniquities are forgiven and whose sins are covered up and completely buried.

Not only does God justify the ungodly but he makes the sinner happy. (Now before you rush to stone me, I know that there is a context to this Psalm and that David had asked God to forgive him for his specific sins and he had confessed them to God.) One of the points Paul is making is that this teaching is not unique to Abraham but that David also shared in this blessing and later on he points that this teaching is for all believers.
The Blessed and Happy Man: One very old commentary puts it like this, "Pardoned people are the only blessed people. The sentiments of the world are, those are happy who have power and possessions; but the sentence of the word is, those are happy who have their debts to God discharged."( Henry & Scott)
We have reason to be happy. I know in some circles happiness is seen as something superficial and shallow. That it has a 'will o the wisp' feel to it because of the uncertain nature of the circumstances of life. I've heard it put in contrast with joy; that happiness depends on happenings while joy depends on Jesus. I wont argue with that but surely its also true that the Christian has the greatest reason for happiness because his happiness is based on the greatest happening ever; that Jesus our Saviour has died for our sins and rose triumphant the third day, that He has ascended to the place of highest honour and ever lives to make intercession for us.
Today we have every reason to be happy if we've followed Abraham and David's example. The word David uses here that's translated blessed or happy is not something shallow or to be relegated to the bottom division. The word in Greek is makarios.
We're told it means, "A condition where you are deeply secure and content and happy in God." It does not depend on circumstances (happenings). It often thrives in spite of adverse circumstances and difficulties. It means "between you and God all is well." You are deeply secure, profoundly content, happy in God - even as somebody put it if you are weeping over the pain of a struck body, a perplexed mind, or a heartbreaking relationship (Thanks to material on this from John Piper)
David is happy because his sins are forgiven. The only thing that he can contribute to the equation is his sin.
Justification is not the same as forgiveness but it includes forgiveness. 7Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.
8 Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him.
Paul introduces the verses from Psalm 32:1-2a to support his teaching from Genesis 15:6. There is only one word to connect them both and that's the same word again, to credit or count.
Not only is righteousness positively credited to our account. But the Lord will never count our sins against us.
Conclusion:
All this talk of justification by faith (imputed righteousness) seems very dangerous. It seems to be letting people go Scot free.
It seems to be letting people completely "off the hook". What about holiness of life? Hasn't God called us to be a holy people?
As I was thinking about Justification this last week, the verses in James 2 came to mind.
For those who are thinking their may be a contradiction in the New Testament understanding of justification when it comes to what James has to say about it; It is true James discusses the same verse (Genesis 15:6) and seems to come to a different conclusion; however when you look at what he's saying in context (James 2:14-26) there is no real contradiction between James and Paul. James is demonstrating that genuine Christian faith by its very nature is fruitful; it produces good works. Faith and works are two sides of the same coin. There is a "seamless unity of believing and doing" (Eugene Peterson.) As one of the reformers put it, "It is faith alone that justifies, but the faith that justifies can never be alone." (John Calvin)
Justification is foundational and is vitally so.
Foundations are to be built on and you spend the rest of your life doing that with the help and grace of God. However, Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labour in vain. Psalm 127:1a
The same bible that talks about justification reminds us of reconciliation, adoption, new birth, and the process of growing in holiness (sanctification) and the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit. (Paul deals with more of these subjects later on in this letter!)
But I want to remind you today that we are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. Romans 3:24.
That's a reason to be truly happy and the joy of the Lord is your strength.

Foot Notes:
Abraham heard from God and he heard with faith.
Galatians 3:5-9. I like the way Paul's questions to the Galatians are put in the message Bible. Answer this question: Does the God who lavishly provides you with his own presence, his Holy Spirit, working things in your lives you could never do for yourselves, does he do these things because of your strenuous moral striving or because you trust him to do them in you? Don't these things happen among you just as they happened with Abraham? He believed God, and that act of belief was turned into a life that was right with God.
7-8Is it not obvious to you that persons who put their trust in Christ (not persons who put their trust in the law!) are like Abraham: children of faith? It was all laid out beforehand in Scripture that God would set things right with non-Jews by faith. Scripture anticipated this in the promise to Abraham: "All nations will be blessed in you."
9-10So those now who live by faith are blessed along with Abraham, who lived by faith-this is no new doctrine! And that means that anyone who tries to live by his own effort, independent of God, is doomed to failure.
(Message Bible)