Posted on 09/01/2010 3:02:30 PM PDT by pastorbillrandles
Grace and Works…Romans 4 Posted on September 1, 2010 by billrandles Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.(Romans 4:4-5)
How was Abraham, the father of all who believe in the God of the Bible justified before God? Abraham did not work to earn right standing with God, it was given to him freely , by God himself.
“Abraham believed God and it was accounted to Him for Righteousness.”(Genesis 15:6)
Righteousness from God can only come by faith and as a gift of God offered in His grace.The simplest definition for the word ‘ grace’ is that gift which is given to the unworthy for no other reason than love, it is unmerited favor.God is gracious and abounds with mercy.
Abraham was an idolater, to whom God in grace, revealed Himself, and something of His purposes for humanity.Also in grace, was the fact that that purpose involved Abraham, he didn’t chose God, God chose him!
In response, Abraham “believed God”. Note it doesn’t say that “Abraham believed in God”, but that Abraham took God at His Word. It was this faith in God’s promise, that was “counted for Righteousness”.
Had Abraham had righteousness imputed to him on the basis of his works, law keeping, exemplary service or religious observance, the blessing of righteousness would have been a wage that God owed him. God cannot be indebted, though, he owes nothing to anyone , for ”by the works of the flesh can no flesh be justified in His sight”.
Abraham, the father of our faith, the model and type of all who would “believe unto righteousness”, is counted as ‘the one who works not’, for he did nothing to merit God’s blessing .God justified Abraham solely in grace.
This is the only possible way any can be saved. God has acted in grace,taking the initiative in love to save the ungodly ones. He has made a righteous way to justify the ungodly…(What a miracle!) , so long as they believe only in the gospel of His gracious salvation.
Should we be led to believe that we in any way have helped God, by good works, or any personal righteousness to commend ourselves to him, the Grace of God is diminished, the reward is no longer reckoned of Grace but of debt. No one can possibly put God in debt, He owes nothing to any of us.As it is written;
Surely, shall one say, in the LORD have I righteousness and strength: even to him shall men come; and all that are incensed against him shall be ashamed.In the LORD shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory.(Isaiah 45:24-25)
As Paul had said earlier, that both Law and prophets testify of the gospel, and the above scripture is an example of that. Only in the Lord is righteousness attained, Israel justified, and can man glory.
True Abraham is credited by God with obedience, as a friend has pointed out to me,
And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed;Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.(Genesis 26:4-5)
But the promise was made without condition in Genesis 12. Abraham was justified in Genesis 15, the obedience occurred over the course of many years, but as a result of his justification, not as a cause of it.
Ever this is God’s pattern. He reveals himself to sinners, they believe in the gospel, by which he justifies them, and this results in a life of good works as an effect of this justification, not the cause.
Abraham found Grace, saving faith, resurrection, and eternal life, not by works but by faith in the gospel of God, who “justifies the ungodly."
Amen F-15! Praise God for his indescribable mercy!
You don’t know what you are talking about-
Thanks for posting this.
I was thinking about this last night.
I love doing it- Sola Deo Gloria!
“Easy way to make a living, tell people what they want to hear, “you are saved”. Nice slogans, that’s about it, BUT not the truth.”
Alright, I’ll bite. What is the truth that you speak of?
Just what I expected as a response, no depth, just boilerplate and slogans.
What is your religion called? It must have a name?
I am an evangelical christian, why do you come across so hostile? And what was there to respond to? an insult about how I make a living? I didn’t give you a “slogan”- you really don’t know anything about me- ie you don’t know what you are talking about- i am happy to answer any questions and dialogue as much as you want but tone down the petulance !
“evangelical christian” is not a religion, it’s painting with a broad brush, says nothing about what one believes.
I worship God the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ, through the Holy Spirit. Jesus is God, come to us in the flesh- who gave His life on the cross as a sacrifice for our sins and was raised from the dead on the third day. He ascended to heaven and sits at the right hand of God, but He shall come again- to rescue Israel and to Judge the world in Righteousness. Whosoever will call upon the name of the Lord jesus shall be saved from their sins, born again, justified , partakers of the New Creation.
So, does every evangelical christian believes as you do, or they are not ev’s, but heretics?
specifics please?
This is going to be a ride Pastor Bill.....one I have seen many times on the religious threads. It is endless but always interesting. May the truth prevail and Christ be uplifted throughout the debate.
“Grace”....enlarge the definition if you would please...for it often seems this is where the differences get rooted from my observation.
I asked you what you believe. You answered. I then asked you if an EC has to believe what you believe or else they are heretics? You wrote “the specifics”.
I need to know what specifically you want to discuss about my doctrine- there is a spectrum of evangelical belief but I would only consider on an evangelical christian, who believes that Jesus is God come in the flesh, and that the only way to be saved is through faith in Him. Obviously there will be a variation in things less crucial.
If it's just yours, then I don't need to know more. What doctrines do EV's have to believe?
igh...”My doctrine”- is not “My doctrine-” (Why do I have to even qualify that with you?) “ My doctrine, is what I say when I mean the doctrine that I subscribe to. If as you say, “I don’t even need to know more” then good, because I don’ think we can communicate on the level that you seem to want to reduce this to. If you want to really talk, just take the chip off of your shoulder and come right out and ask me what particular point you want to discuss with me. Evangelicals have to believe what anyone would have to believe to be saved, that Jesus is the Son of God, and yet God in the flesh. He died for our sins according to the scripture, was raised from the dead according to the scripture and He shall come again to judge the world in righteousness.
So, anyone that does not believe the above before death, will go to hell. (Jews,Moslems,Protetatants that don't believe in Christ's divinity, and everyone else like them)?
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