Romans 4
This chapter touches on the doctrine of justification. In Romans 4, Paul uses the example of Abraham. Abraham was bestowed as the spiritual and physical father of Israel. Surely, Abraham was considered one of the greatest men in the bible, being the one who received the covenant of descendents. Abraham was a righteous man. But this righteousness was credited to him by God because Abraham had faith in God.
Abraham was not saved by his own ability but as a gift from God. (Remember Eph 2:8,9) We must also be careful to not misunderstand and think that Abraham was saved solely because he believed in God. The bible never said that we are saved by faith. Rather, we are saved through faith. Faith is the channel by which God’s righteousness was given to us.
Since God does not count our sin against us because he has given us righteousness through faith, are we still holding it against ourselves? Are our bundles of sins too big for God’s forgiveness? We know from Psalm 32:1,2 that God has forgiven our sins. Our sins are covered by the blood of Jesus.
Circumcision is an external act, a ritual which Jews follow in obedience to God. Just as today, we baptise and partake in the Lord’s Supper. There are those who believe the ‘redeeming value’ of these rites and ceremonies. Some people question the purpose of rites if it does not buy God’s righteousness. If baptism does not redeem, then why baptise? Paul says that such sacraments serve as “a sign” and “a seal”. Baptism is a public act which openly displays a Christian’s belonging to Jesus. It is like a sign that points to the promise you have from God. A seal is used for authentication. Thus, baptism authenticates the Christian’s identity as a disciple of Christ.
The bible says that if a person is credited righteousness by law, then faith is worthless. The promise of our salvation is worthless. As we are sinners who break God’s law, we incur the wrath of God. We can try our utmost best in our own ability to be perfect but in doing so we render faith to be worthless. Grace is worthless and the law we try so hard to keep will bring God’s wrath right down on us.
Abraham’s faith had stood firmly in God despite contrary circumstances. (We can find an account of his faith in Hebrews 11). In verse 18, “Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed”. Abraham was fully assured of God’s power to carry out whatever he promised. This is what true faith is, God-directed and not self-directed or circumstance-directed. God created the laws of nature and sciences and therefore has the power to alter anything for His purpose and glory.
