Romans 4: It’s Faith

Paul used Romans 4 to make clear one major issue regarding salvation–it’s God, not us.

His evidence? Abraham, the beginning of the nation of Israel. He lived before the time of the law of Moses, yet Paul writes:

¹ 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.”

Abraham’s status with God was not based on law or on works he had accomplished. Rather, his relationship with God was based on faith, on belief.

Even today, we continue to complicate religion by mixing faith and works in ways God never intended. Yes, we live differently as a result of our faith. However, there is nothing we can do to make God love us more. He has granted us a relationship with him not because of what we have done but in spite of what we have done. As a result, we live a life of thanksgiving, offering this same love to all we meet along the journey.

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Dillon Burroughs is the author or co-author of numerous books and is handwriting a copy of the New Testament in 2011 at HolyWritProject.com. Find out more about Dillon at Facebook.com/readdB or readdB.com.