BIBLE STUDY ON ROMANS CHAPTER 4 (Lessons 8 & 9)
~ Pastor Thuamminlian Guite
Memory verses: Romans 4:5 & 23
Righteousness by Faith
Paul expounded on righteousness by faith focusing on the faith of Abraham by which he was justified. He emphasized that Abraham’s righteousness did not come by keeping the law or through his good works. Many of the Jews believed that the righteousness of Abraham, whom they regarded as their father or ancestor, comes from keeping the law. Paul explained that God declared Abraham righteous on account of his faith long before he was circumcised. Law is given to teach God’s children how to live and obedience comes after faith. Abraham became a spiritual father not only to the Jews but to all who come to God by faith.
Salvation for All by Faith
Paul also explained how salvation is by grace through faith and is for all, the Jews and gentiles alike, the circumcised and the uncircumcised. Even though a sinner, God receives us as righteous if we believe in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The Faith of Abraham
Abraham’s faith is an unwavering faith in God even when all seemed lost. He was about a hundred years old and Sarah’s womb was dead, yet he believed that God would fulfill his promise that he and his offspring would be heir of the world.
Faith is far beyond knowledge. The knowledge that Jesus died for us does not lead to faith or salvation. In the New Testament, we find people enduring insults, persecution and hatred for their faith. There is a price to be paid for our faith in God. As it is written in the book of James, faith without works is dead. Faith has to touch our lives and change it inside out.
As Christians, we need to examine our faith. Where do we stand? Do we depend on what we know of God from our childhood and what we learnt at Sunday school? Is belonging to a Christian family enough? Abraham had faith in God’s promise even when his situation seemed so hopeless. Let us examine ourselves whether we have the kind of faith that Abraham possessed.
