Romans - Chapter 4

Romans 4

This week Craig continued our study in Romans, Chapter 4.  Paul is not done talking about sin and how we all have sinned.  He is not done fully explaining that the law does not give us hope as many Christians and Romans during his time believed.  No amount of works, nor the law will save us. 

So Paul starts with the Father of the Jews - Abraham.  Paul asks the question "What about Abraham?" Wasn't he saved by works?  Verse 3: What does scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him to him as righteousness."  Paul is quoting from Genesis 15:6 Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness.

Paul continues his argument by also quoting David in Psalms. Blessed are those whose trangressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord will never count against them -vs 7-8.

Craig wrote that "Transgression is a form of rebellion against God. Sin means to not live up to God's standards."  David is saying that good works, obeying the law cannot make us righteous.  But is God who can wash away our sin and forgive us.  It is God's Grace that saves us.  Or better put - "God's Riches At Christ's Expense."

Paul has more arguments throughout chapter 4.  Here are Paul's irrefutable reasons why justification is by faith:

1) Since justification is a gift, it cannot be earned by works (vv. 1-8)
2) Since Abraham was justified before he was circumcised, circumcision has no relationship to justification (vv. 9-12)
3) Since Abraham was justified centuries before the Law, justification is not based on the Law (vv. 13-17)
4) Abraham was justified because of his faith in God, not because of his works (vv. 18-25)

Paul is not done yet talking about how we are sinners and need a savior, but he concludes his argument using Abraham - the Father of the Jews as irrefutable evidedence of justification by faith.

Craig left us with 3 simple questions:

1 - Do you struggle with being justified?
2 - How long did you struggle before you accepted the free gift?
3 - Why?

Romans - Chapter 3

Romans 3

This week Craig Thomson led our bible study where Ed left off - Romans Chapter 3.  He did a great job of presenting the text and explaining Paul's letter.  Paul can be very confusing sometimes in his writings and Romans is no exception.  He starts off in verse 5, with a hard to follow argument.  But it helps when we realize he is using a human argument.  Shouldn't we keep sinning, since God's truthfulness and glory increases as a result?

The answer is no!  But Paul uses many words to say no.  Paul concludes that we are all sinners, all unworthy, all unrighteous and in need of change.  Verse 20 says, Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather through the law we become conscious of sin. A professor of my once said, that as he got closer and closer to God - he realized he was more and more sinful than he had previously thought.  But Christ died for us - making us righteous.  This righteousness from God comes throught faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe - vs 22. 

But Paul still has not answered the questions yet - eventhough we know he will answer it with a no.  Paul continues for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus - vs. 23-24.  It is becasue we will be justified by faith.  And through this faith we shall uphold the law not continue sinning.  As Paul finally answers the question in vs 31 Do we then, nulify the law by this faith? Not at all, Rather, we uphold the law.