Romans Chapter Four
Lesson
50
Justification Illustrated
4:10-11
Next Paul asks and answers a key question!
- "How then
was it reckoned" when was Abe's faith
credited to him resulting in his being acquitted before God? When was that?
- Note
the chronology of Abraham!
* So clearly what's the only conclusion that you must
make??
- Abraham believed, he was justified, then 24 years later was circumcised.
- It was important to the Jew for it was the sign of the
covenant relationship they had with God.
- They could and did have the sign, the designating mark
without having the spiritual reality that is its real significance, no faith in
the right object.
-
Circumcision was established by God to do 2 things;
#1. As a sign of His everlasting
covenant with the Jew;
promise related to the land & ruler that have yet to be
fulfilled, but will be!
#2. As a seal, the authenticating
mark, that Abe had already
believed, and had been justified,
that is, 24 years prior. Seal says it was genuine.
* Correctly understood the rite of circumcision confirms the truth of justification by faith.
- Then Paul points out again the importance of chronology;
He believed long before he was circumcised; purpose = rest of the verse.
"that he might be the father of all who believe
without being circumcised, that righteousness might be reckoned to them."
Seed of Abraham
* Problem: Jews of Christ's day did not understand
this seed with in the seed!
They
thought that if they were of the physical line; they had it made; they were
heirs of the promise.
Jn 8:31-47 is a good context to see this.
* God made a Covenant with Abe and his seed, the people of
* God's program with
* How long are they going to have to delay? Maybe the nation of
* What do you think that encouragement is called?? Tribulation, the time of Jacob's trouble.
** Just before Abe
was circumcised the Lord reaffirmed the covenant, the contract He had made with
him originally some 24 years before;
This
covenant was ratified in ch-15 10 years after initially given.
** So very forcefully and clearly Paul has pulled the rug
out from under another crutch, from another explanation that man has for
attaining a standing before God!
Justification is not by ritual but by faith.
3. Justification is
by faith not by law
4:13-22
Was the
promise given to Abraham thru the law?
NO! Paul says! 4:13-15 spells it out!
*
Expanded outline of this section: focus
of section is faith!
#1
Destruction of faith;
4:13-15
What
Paul is saying here is that there is something that we can do to destroy
faith. Read!
#2
Necessity of faith;
Faith is
the only condition that fits grace! Only thing compatible with grace! Read!
#3
Strength of Abraham's faith
4:17-22.