Romans - March 16, 2008

Section - Three: Justification -- Romans 3:21-5:18 (continued)

V. Romans 3:31-4:8 Salvation by faith was a fundamental truth before circumcision (continued)

D. Evidence Applied [Discussion Question Answered] — How was Abraham justified?
1. By his faith in God not because he was under any law of merit.
E. Conclusion
1. The first step in showing issue is not faith versus law is establishing faith was a means for justification before and after the Law of Moses and circumcision.
2. Awareness of faith and law establishes value of God declaring one righteous..
a. Righteousness is not something to be earned for it cannot be earned.
3. {Rom 3:31- 4:8} Salvation by faith is a fundamental truth among Old Testament worthies...
a. Most under the LOM had turned God’s plan for LOM (make mankind aware of God’s standard) into a plan of salvation by works of merit.

PRECIOUS NUGGETS

1. (Rom 4:3-4) if justification was not wages (earned) how did it happen?
a. (v.4) If one worked, the reward (3408. misthos; pay for services) was a debt God was obligated to paid.
b. (v.3) Using Gen 15:6, Paul says Abraham was “counted” righteous because Abraham did not earn righteousness, God did not owe Abraham any wages (righteousness), thus, justification is a gift, it is by grace.

IV. {Rom 4:9-12} Abraham’s righteousness because of his faith means salvation is available for everyone, not just those circumcised and obeying the Law of Moses.
A. Introduction
1. Review — Paul has shown Abraham was credited as righteous before circumcision and David, circumcised and living under the LOM, says those acknowledging God do not have their sins taken into account — he does not say only those obeying the Law of Moses.
2. Preview — The fall back position of the LOM Christians would be, if not the LOM justified Abraham, then it was his circumcision. Why circumcision is not the factor determining who can be or is righteous (saved).
B. Question For Discussion? Why is Abraham able to be the ancestor of believing gentiles and believing Jews?
C. Questions For Encouraging Discussion...
1. What is the blessing being addressed at 4:9?
a. The blessing of having one’s sins covered — not taken into account because they are forgive [4:8]
2. At what point was Abraham credited as being righteous?
a. When he had faith in God’s promise he would have a son [Gen 15:6]
3. Did the act of circumcision make Abraham righteous?
a. (Rom 4:10) No, the covenant of circumcision was given after he had been declared as righteous.
4. What did Abraham’s circumcision mean if did not make him righteousness?
a. It was a sign of his being righteousness. [Rom 4:11]
5. What is the significance to mankind of the point in time when Abraham was credited as righteous?
a. Since it was Abraham’s faith, not his being circumcised, making him righteous he is the father of all having faith — both the circumcised and un-circumcised believer.
6. PONDER: Since baptism is New Testament equivalent of LOM circumcision why is one not saved before they are baptized — i.e., baptism is only a public declaration one is saved; an outward sign of an inward change or turning?
a. Baptism is not the New Testament equivalent of LOM circumcision for circumcision was the sign for a special relationship God had with the tribe of Abraham.
b. Baptism is the means for putting one in Christ (1Co 12:13; Gal 3:27) by providing remission of sins, i.e., salvation (Act 2:38; 1Pe 3:21).
c. Circumcision is a sign of a physical relationship with God [cf. Gen 17:14]; baptism is the means to have a spiritual relationship with God — re-born [Rom 6:3-4].
D. Evidence Applied [Discussion Question Answered] — Why is Abraham able to be the ancestor of believing gentiles and believing Jews?
1. His righteousness (salvation, justification) not result of circumcision, thus, he is the father of all who believe (have faith, trust) God in the same way as Abraham, circumcised or not...
a. When God told 85 year old Abraham he would have children he believed.
b. While Sarah had doubts 14 years later (he 99 and she 89) Abraham still believed.
E. Conclusion
1. Circumcision does not a play a part in our salvation, i.e., both the circumcised and non-circumcised can be credited as righteous (forgiven of sins)...
a. Righteousness is based on our trust in accepting God’s word — as seen in our obedience.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
A LOOK AHEAD

V. {Rom 4:13-17 } Only faith can guarantee God’s promise to Abraham and his seed
A. Introduction
1. Review — The LOM Christians can no longer claim circumcision has anything to do with having one’s sins covered, i.e., being righteousness, for such is by faith.
2. Preview — Paul now moves to the next step, the Law of Moses (any law of merit) does not make one righteous.
B. Question For Discussion — What is there about God fulfilling His promise to Abraham preventing the LOM from being involved in God’s promise to Abraham?
C. Questions For Encouraging Discussion...
1. (4:13) The word “through” (G1223 dia) is a primary preposition denoting the channel of an act, the means of delivery. The LOM Christians know Abraham was not under the LOM, thus, why does Paul stress “not through law but faith”
a.
2. Why can one not receive God’s promise via any law of merit, i.e. why can God’s promises only be filled by “righteousness of faith”?
a.
3. Based on what the obedient (believing) Jew obtained what is the meaning of “world” in this passage? Consider the following...
a. {ACT 26:6-7, 22-23; 28:13} What does this say about what the Jew thought the hoped for promise was going to be.
(1)
b. {HEB 11:8-10; 13-16; 39) When God makes a promise it will come about when the conditions of that promise is obeyed. What does this say about the promise God made to Abraham?
(1)
c. {HEB 12:1-3; 18-24; ACT 2:36} What light does this shine on the meaning of “world”?
(1)
d. {ROM 9:8; GAL 3:28} Who are Abraham’s heir of the promise?
(1)
e. ANSWER:
4. What is the significance of verses 14, 15 beginning with “for” [KJV has “because” 15] and “for this reason”, “cause”, or “therefore” at 16?
a.
5. (4:14) Why is God’s promise nullified if a person had to be, as the LOM Christians believed, obedient to law?
a.
6. (4:14) How does the “for” support position the promise is through faith.
a.
7. (4:15) Why does the law not make one righteous?
a.
OBSERVATION: “no law...no violation” is doing more than just stating the obvious+.
8. (4:15) How does the “for” support the position “law” (earning) makes “faith” (grace) void.
a.
9. (4:16) Two reasons given why promise had to be based on faith not law (flawless obedience), what are they?
a.
10. (4:16b) If the LOM Christian insisted the Gentiles had to obey the LOM to receive the promise what impact would that have on the LOM Christians receiving the promise?
a.
11. (4:17) What does this suggest about the quality of fulfiller of the promise?
a.
12. PONDER: The relationship between God (Gen 21:1-3,12; 22:2,8,12-13; and Rom 4:17 and Heb 11:17-19) and Abraham’s willingness to obey God.
a.
D. Evidence Applied [Discussion Question Answered] What is there about God fulfilling His promise to Abraham preventing the LOM from being involved in God’s promise to Abraham?
1. The LOM (any law of works) demands flawless obedience, thus, could not be part of God’s promise to Abraham for no person can flawlessly obey God’s law or any law of works or merit.
E. Conclusion — Being a heir of the promise made to Abraham because of his faith requires faith not works by those who are part of the promise, i.e., the kingdom promised to Abraham.

VI. {Rom 4:18-25} Abraham’s faith based on what God could do, not what was logical or practical
A. Introduction
1. Review — Paul has provided sound arguments using human logic with Holy Spirit inspired writings establishing it is not possible nor appropriate for the efforts of mankind (works of merit) to be the source or reason a person is righteous — only by God’s grace can one be righteous.
2. Preview — Necessary consequences, for the readers, of Abraham’s example of righteousness as the fruit of faith not merit.
B. Question For Discussion?
1. What is specifically required of Paul’s readers to be credited as righteous as was Abraham?
C. Questions For Encouraging Discussion...
1. There are two ways to be righteousness or justified before God, i.e., have one’s sins not taken into account — one is stated and one is implied; one is possible and one is not.
a.
2. (4:18) Why did Abraham, according to this verse, not give up hope?
a.
3. (Gen 16:2; 17:15-18) Abraham was 86 when Ishmael was born and 99 when he made this request on behalf of Ishmael. What insight does this give to Rom 4:18?
a.
4. (4:19-21) Why is the logical or practical situation with Abraham and Sarah having a child?
a.
5. How did Abraham respond to his and Sarah’s physical situation?
a.
6. Why did Abraham’s faith in God grow stronger?
a.
7. (4:22) What was reckoned to Abraham as equal to righteousness?
a.
8. (4:23-24) Why is what is written about Abraham’s faith also for the sake of the Paul’s readers?
a.
9. To be righteous Abraham had to have faith he and Sarah would have child, what is expected of Paul’s readers?
a.
10. (4:25) What enabled God to not apply judicial wrath to those earning His wrath (broke His law) because they did not earn righteousness? (cf. 3:25)
a.
11. (4:25) Justification means being freed from the guilt of wrong doing (sin), this was accomplished by Jesus’ death (3:25), thus, what part does Jesus’ resurrection have in our justification (cf. 1Co 15:16-19).
a.
D. Evidence Applied [Discussion Question Answered] — What is specifically required of Paul’s readers to be credited as righteous as was Abraham?
1. Paul’s readers must have faith in what God says to them as Abraham had in what God said to him — i.e., Jesus died because of their transgression and was raised from the dead.
E. Conclusion
1. Paul has provided arguments, from scripture, showing Abraham was declared righteous (saved) by God’s grace not by Abraham’s works (works of merit) — Abraham was saved by his faith (trust) because God did not own Abraham anything.
2. Abraham’s faith was not a blind faith, but a faith based on seeing God in action, the reader’s faith was to be based on evidence and sound (logical) argument from Holy Spirit inspired Scripture.
3. Faith’s fruit is trusting God in our words and deeds — walking the talk in good times and bad times, when it is logical and practical and when it is not.