Saved By Faith Series

We all agree that God is perfectly holy. We know that we are sinners, and we are unclean and not worthy to stand before Holy God. We know all have sinned and are separated from God, but how do we become righteous?

The word for righteous used here in Romans chapter 4 is justified. It means to make righteous. How do we become justified to stand before Holy God?

First, it is certain that we will never be able to do enough good deeds to make ourselves righteous. We can fall into the trap of a works orientated religious system. That is the wrong way. We can never do enough good works to reach God. There is no religious system that can be followed to achieve salvation.

Our justification, our salvation is not a performance-based salvation. We are saved by faith. Abraham is the father of faith. He was saved through faith and that is the only way there is for us. There are two of the most well-known Old Testament heroes of the faith in this passage, Abraham and David. Their lives illustrate that we are not saved by our works, but by faith in Jesus Christ.

The Faith of Abraham

What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, 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 Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” (Romans 4:1-3)

When Abraham (still at that time called Abram) was called by God he responded in faith. He was called to leave his land his family and all that represented his security and follow God to a place that was unknown to him, but that God would show him.

To obey a call like that requires faith. Abraham trusted God to show him where he was to go. He set out by faith and God blessed him. His faith led him to this act of obedience to go where the Lord would lead him to.

We read about this call in Genesis chapter 12.

The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.

2 “I will make you into a great nation,

and I will bless you;

I will make your name great,

and you will be a blessing.

3 I will bless those who bless you,

and whoever curses you I will curse;

and all peoples on earth

will be blessed through you.” (Genesis 12:1-3)

Abraham was given some specifics to the promise God made to him. He would have descendants as numerous as the dust of the earth. He would be the father to an uncountable number of descendants.

I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if anyone could count the dust, then your offspring could be counted. (Genesis 13:16)

God had always been faithful to Abraham. Why would Abraham ever have reason to doubt God? Well, because he and his wife Sarah were old and past child-bearing years and they did not even have one descendant. The matter looked hopeless. Abraham expressed what he was feeling to God.

But Abram said, “Sovereign Lord, what can you give me since I remain childless and the one who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?” 3 And Abram said, “You have given me no children; so a servant in my household will be my heir.” (Genesis 15:2-3)

The Lord answered Abraham with another incredible promise. Abraham will have an heir. Only believe. This may be impossible with man, but with God this is possible. To believe this will require faith in God.

Then the word of the Lord came to him: “This man will not be your heir, but a son who is your own flesh and blood will be your heir.” 5 He took him outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars—if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” 6 Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.

(Genesis 15:4-6)

God responded and asked him to look into the sky and count the stars. There are such an uncountable number that God said, indeed if you can count them, so shall your offspring be. Abraham believed God. That is faith. That is how Abraham became righteous. Abraham was justified by his faith in God. That is what Paul is talking about in this passage. Justification by faith in God.

Faith verses Works

Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. 5 However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness. (Romans 4:4-5)