Abraham, David and justification
Romans 4:1-8
There was a man said to many of his friends one time that he knew he would go to heaven when he died. Now I believe it is very possible to know if you are going to heaven after this life but not in the way he said he was going. He said that he knew that he was going to heaven because he had a brother that was a preacher and his dad kept the books or his dad was the church clerk.
We can laugh about that and the man’s friends did but many may have that in mind when you talk to them about where they will spend an eternity after this life. The Jew’s must have felt the same way because they had Abraham as there father.
Paul had been leading up to this chapter because now he is going to talk to them about justification found in the Old Testament. Chapter 4 is broken down into four parts. The one we want to cover this morning is Abraham, David and justification. Lord willing next Sunday we will cover circumcision and justification; the next message will cover inheritance and justification and then finally, faith and justification.
The first point I see in our study this morning is THE RUMOR OF ABRAHAM’S FAITH. Look at verse 2.
Now when the Jew wanted to make a case about being justified by works, they would use Abraham as their example. When God told Abraham to leave his family and go to a land He would show him, he left his family and went. When God told him to be circumcised to be separate from the heathen, he did. So they would say by the works of Abraham God saved him and salvation is by works.
Paul said if Abraham is saved by works then he is the example for all of mankind. If Abraham is saved by works then he has something that he can brag about. So we ought not to be surprised to know that there are denominations that believe that salvation is by works. We have the catholic that says mass saves the person. We have Primitive Baptist says no one can know if he is going to heaven. If that is true then he has to base it on the works of the person. We have the Pentecostal who claims to be saved by faith but you have to hold out and hold on to your salvation by doing good works.
The bottom line is that the only thing that touches God is our faith. Faith is the only thing that saves the human soul.
We see not only the rumor of Abraham’s faith but also THE REALITY OF ABRAHAM’S FAITH. Look at verses 3-5.
When it comes the time for Paul to make his case about justification by faith; guess who he uses for his example? That is right, he uses Abraham. Look at verse 3. This is the only way to answer a disagreement and that is what saith the Word of God. It doesn’t make any difference what man may say, let’s look and see what the Word of God says.
Look at the rest of the verse. It says that Abraham believed God. It did not say that Abraham believed there was a God but that Abraham believed God. When Abraham was 85 years of age God told Abraham that he would have a son. At the time God gave Abraham this promise he did not have any children. God told Abraham to go out and look up at the stars and to then count them if he could. Abraham said that he could not count the stars and God said neither will anyone be able to count your decedents. Again when God told Abraham this he did not have any children; but Abraham believed God.
It is so simple to get to heaven that even a child can understand. The Word of God says that who so ever shall ever call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. That is if you will confess with your mouth that you are a sinner and believe in your heart that Jesus resurrected from the dead, you shall be saved. Just simply believe God for the salvation of your soul.
I want us to see finally THE RESULTS OF ABRAHAM’S FAITH. Look at verses 6-8. The results of believing God is sins forgiven. The results in believing God is sins covered and never to be brought up again. The results of believing God is to be on your way to heaven. People have made me many promises and most have never followed through but when God says your sins are forgiven just simply believe that what Jesus did on the cross of Calvary paid for your sins and God will save you. Do you know Jesus as your Savior?
