Paul has introduced us to the doctrine of justification by faith in chapter 3 of Romans. This may have been new to some people — it may even be new to you? People are often a little sceptical and wary of new ideas. That’s why Paul here in chapter 4 takes up the case of Abraham (and to a lesser ex­tent David). These men were two giants of the OT and superheroes of the Jews. The Jews all agreed there was none quite like Abraham or David. How were they made right with God? If it can be proven that they were justified before God by faith alone — and not by works — this will make a significant impact!

This may seem to be a lesson in an­cient history and you may feel tempted to switch off! Don’t. These words are still as relevant and valu­able for us today. Paul says, ‘these words — it was credited to him — were written not for him alone, but also for us.’ (23-24). In preserving this account of Abraham’s faith, Paul is not merely recording history, but presenting Abraham as the standard of faith for all believers. What was true of him is true of all those who believe as he believed. Abraham is described as ‘the father of all who believe’ (16). This then is ‘applied history.’ It was written for us!

Romans 4 presents a clear picture of Abraham’s faith. What do we see?

Abraham was Saved by Faith Alone – and not by Works (vv 1-8)⤒🔗

‘What does the scripture say? Abra­ham believed God — and it was cred­ited to him as righteous’ (v 3); a quota­tion from Gen. 15:6. We see here that the doctrine of justification by faith is not confined to the pages of the NT! It was also in the Old. Abraham was justified before God — not because of anything that he did — but simply be­cause he believed the word of God. God had given Abraham a promise — ‘look up at the heavens and count the stars — so shall your offspring be. Abraham believed...’ Humanly speaking it was impossible for such a thing to happen. It was an outrageous promise that he and his barren wife would have countless children who would inherit the world. But Abraham took God at his word. He reasoned that because ‘God said it; I believe it; and that settles it!’ He believed God could do something that was humanly impossible. He believed that the same God, who made the stars; who specialised in creation; who made the world out of nothing could just as eas­ily make a baby! As a result of his belief, the Lord counted it to him; credited him; attributed it to him; as righteousness. Note the phrase. It is accounting language. Because of Abraham’s faith, God chose to make an entry in the ‘righteousness’ column that ‘reckoned’ or ‘imputed’ him righteousness even though he wasn’t at the time.

There are two (lawful) ways of ob­taining something. You can work for it or you can receive it as a gift (v 4). If you work for somebody, then you don’t get paid out of grace, but out of debt. If you work hard all month, then your paycheque is not a gift from your employer, is it? Could it be that what Abraham received was a paycheque from God as a reward for a life of hard earned righteous­ness? No! It was a gift! It was un­deserved.

King David says the same thing (vv 6-8). He was hardly an ‘angel!’ He had blotted his copy book — big time! Yet he says, after acknowl­edging his sin in Psalm 32, ‘Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him.’ David might have said that God now treated him, ‘Just-as-if-I’d never sinned’!

Salvation is not a wage that God pays as a reward to good hard working people — but a gracious gift to sinful people who believe in His promises.

Abraham was Saved by Faith Alone – and not by the Sacra­ments (vv 9-12)←⤒🔗

Very well, we have seen that Abra­ham was justified before God by faith alone in the promises of God. Where however does circumcision fit into the jigsaw? Abraham was circumcised. So presumably circum­cision made some sort of contribu­tion toward his salvation? To bring us up to date we might ask what part baptism (the equivalent NT sac­rament of circumcision) plays in our salvation. The answer is that bap­tism does not save, not even in part. Look at Abraham’s case (vv 10-11a). When was he declared righteous before God? Was it before he was circumcised or afterwards? The answer is — before! He was declared righteous in Genesis chapter 15. He was not circumcised until Genesis chapter 17 — fourteen years later! Circumcision therefore for Abraham was merely an outward sign to the inward faith he already had. Circum­cision merely confirmed the faith he already possessed. Paul was never against the practice of circumcision as such, but strongly insisted that such things had nothing to do with one’s salvation. That was a matter of God’s grace through faith (Eph. 2:8­-9).

This clarification is necessary be­cause many churchgoing religious people nowadays have a wrong no­tion of righteousness. Many so called Protestants are influenced more than they realise by the teach­ing of the Roman Catholic church; which still teaches that righteousness is ‘infused’ by way of the sacra­ments. (They teach erroneously that there are seven sacraments i.e. bap­tism, confirmation, the mass, pen­ance, extreme unction, marriage and holy orders). Rome teaches that in the ordinary course of life five of these are indispensable to salvation (marriage and orders are optional). Whereas the Bible insists that salva­tion is quite apart from the sacra­ments; but is by faith alone in Christ alone. It was this great truth that flashed through the mind of Martin Luther, while still a monk. On a pil­grimage to Rome he was climbing the scala sancta, the ‘sacred stair­way’ one step at a time and on his knees, trying to find peace with God. Suddenly the truth burst upon him and he saw the real meaning of the verse, ‘the just shall live by faith.’ Immediately he got up on his feet and walked down the steps. How wrong it was for him — or anyone — to think he could earn salvation through the works of penance!

Thus the story of Abraham shows that for Jew and Gentile alike there is only one way of justification — the way of faith (vv 11-12). If we believe as Abraham believed, we will receive as Abraham received.

Abraham was Saved by Faith Alone – and not by Law (vv 13-15)←⤒🔗

We have established that Abraham was not saved by personal achieve­ment, or because he was good, or because he was religious. Paul fur­ther makes clear that Abraham was not saved by keeping the law. He couldn’t have been. He was declared righteous by God in Genesis 15 — 350 years before the law was given! It was therefore impossible for Abra­ham to be saved in this way. If Abra­ham was saved by keeping the law then Genesis 15 is meaningless.

People often think that the law was given so that if we keep it we win acceptance with God. This is to mis­understand the law’s purpose. It was never given to save us. Let us illus­trate by comparing the law to a ther­mometer. When we are ill the doctor uses a thermometer to find out our temperature and to show us how ill we are. But no one swallows a thermometer in order to get better. So God’s law exposes our sin and shows us how sinful we are. To try to win salvation by keeping God’s law is like swallowing the ther­mometer in order to get better. In­deed it is worse. It makes out that Christ’s death was unnecessary. Don’t go down the law keeping road and think it will save you. It won’t. You’ll get lost. It’s the way of despair and hopelessness. It’s a cul-de-sac. ‘The law brings wrath’ (15).

Abraham’s Faith is an Example to us (vv 16-22)←⤒🔗

If Abraham is our father in the faith, then as his descendants we should be like him. His faith is an example and inspiration to us. We learn from Abraham what faith is; and what faith does.

Abraham’s faith was founded on the character of God. That’s impor­tant. A good foundation is vital. Our neighbour has discovered this les­son to his cost. He had trust in the architect and builder and council. He bought the house in good faith. He has now discovered significant cracks in the foundation. The house may yet be demolished. He is a very despondent man. His con­fidence in man has been shaken. Abraham’s faith however was not misplaced. Verse 17 describes God as the One ‘who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist.’ God promised him two things: one, that he and Sarah would have a son and; two, Abraham would become the father of many nations. But there was a slight problem. Sarah’s womb was ‘dead’ and Abraham being 100 years old was as good as dead. Their biological clock had stopped ticking. They were ‘over the hill’. They were both pension­ers ready for the geriatric ward — not the maternity wing! They were both living in ‘God’s waiting room’. Despite all these obstacles — Abraham believed the staggering prom­ise. He believed that with God all things are possible. He believed that God can overcome the hin­drances and obstacles. He be­lieved the promise because he knew the nature of God. Resurrec­tion and creation are two of God specialities (v17). Abraham did not waver through unbelief ... but was fully persuaded that God was able to do what he had promised (20-21). So when Abraham was 100 and Sarah was 90 baby Isaac was born! (See Gen. 21:1-7). It was unbeliev­able! It was the talk of the district! Promise one was now fulfilled. Prom­ise two is still being fulfilled today. Can we count the spiritual descen­dants of this man? We must be num­bered in the millions! The glory and the credit go to God.

The question that I must now ask my­self is this: ‘Do I believe in Abraham’s God? Do I believe in the God who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist’? Do I believe the gospel is the power of God to everyone who believes? Do I believe He is the God who can do miracles? Do I believe He is able to give life to the dead? Do I believe salvation is of the Lord? Do I believe that He is able to do that for my son? My daughter? My husband? My wife? My friend? My neighbour? If I didn’t believe that I should resign and aban­don the faith. If I doubt it I need to look at Abraham as an example and inspiration. He did not waver in unbe­lief. Spurgeon said, ‘Look at yourself and your doubts will increase. Look to Jesus and they will disappear.’ That’s what Abraham did.

We believe in a great God — the God of Abraham. We say in the Apostle’s Creed,

I believe in God the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord ... I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the commun­ion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen!’ But do we really believe it?

Do we believe Jesus words when He said, ‘In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself’ (Jn. 14:2-3). The certainty of resurrection is com­pelling. People who know this live radically. Certain of their resurrection in Christ they give their time, money and lives for the coming age and they do so with joy. They lay up treasures in heaven.

This was also the nature and scope of Abraham’s faith. He believed in the God ‘who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist.’ He sought that city which has foundations whose builder and maker is God. He looked to the fulfilment of the prom­ises of God. He overcame the ob­stacles and difficulties. He focused on the character of God, believed the promises and rested on the faithfulness of God.

‘That is why his faith was counted as righteousness’ (22). Abraham was a friend of God. It’s important to examine ourselves, to see if we have such faith. Time thus spent is never wasted.