Romans 4:1-8

Abraham Justified by Faith

1What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather, discovered in this matter? 2If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God. 3What does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness."
4Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation. 5However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness. 6David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:
7"Blessed are they
whose transgressions are forgiven,
whose sins are covered.
8Blessed is the man
whose sin the Lord will never count against him."




Abraham BELIEVED God and it was credited as righteousness
David speaks of the blessings of forgiven sins




Don't you know the Jews were proud to be called children of Abraham. Paul uses Abraham as a perfect example of someone who believed God and therefore God credits him as righteous. Not because he performed any work, it was his faith that saved him.

In v. 4 Paul is saying that if a person could earn right standing with God b being good, the granting of that gift wouldn't be a free act, ti would be an obligation. We are wasting our time trying to be self-reliant, all we can do is cast ourselves on God's mercy and grace.

Then you may think to yourself "if I am saved by my faith, then do I have ENOUGH faith? Is my faith strong enough to save me?" Let's not miss the point. It is Jesus Christ who saves u, not our feelings or actions, and he is strong enough to save us no matter how wear our faith is. Jesus died for our sins because he loved us first.

So lets remember that faith is believing and trusting in Jesus Christ and reaching out to accept his priceless gift of salvation.

v.6 refers to Psalm 32 where David writes about the guilt that he was suffeing as a result of terrible sins - adultery, murder, lying - and yet he experienced the joy of forgiveness. STOP denying your sins, admit it and ask God for forgiveness, let go of your guilt and believe that God has forgiven you.

Jesus is willing and able to forgive every sin. 1 John 1:9 declares that sins confessed are sins forgiven!