#272 - Simply through Faith - Romans 4, part 2

In this second part of Charlie's message on Romans chapter 4, he begins with verse 9 that argues Abraham was not declared righteous because he was circumcised as a sign of being Jewish. He was circumcised (Genesis 17) some 14 years after he was declared righteous in Genesis 15. This makes Abraham the father of all who believe, not just the Jews who are circumcised. God's promise of Abraham's seed or descendant who would be heir to the promise can only be appropriated through faith, not works or rituals like circumcision. Neither can the Law obtain the promise. On the contrary, the Law brings God's wrath because it condemns all who break it, which is everyone. Paul's conclusion is that grace can only be ralized through faith. A good illustration of faith is how Abraham believed God's promise of an heir even though he and Sarah were old and beyond natural childbearing age. Yet Abraham believed God could do this miracle, and Abraham's faith was again vindicated. Paul assures the readers that this story and its lessons on justification through faith alone was written for the sake of his readers, and by implication, for us today. We can also be justified by faith in the gracious promise of God. #SimplybyGrace#Simplythroughfaith#Faithalone#Romans4