Abraham Justified by Faith, Romans 4:1-8

Posted on February 16, 2015 by KD Manes under Bible Study

This chapter builds on the previous one: “man is justified by faith apart from observing the Law”. Justification is God’s act of declaring us “not guilty” for our sins.

In this section, Paul offers proof that faith—not works—was God’s plan in the Old Testament. Abraham, the founder of the Jewish nation, was a prime Old Testament model of justification by faith. When Abraham was 75, God revealed that He would bless and multiply Abraham’s offspring through a son. Even though Abraham was childless and didn’t know how God would bring about His plan, he placed his confidence in God. Paul cites Genesis 15:6, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”

In verse 4 Paul reasons that if a person could earn right standing with God by being good then the giving of that gift would be an obligation instead of a free act. Paul also reminds us of King David’s joyous discovery of forgiveness of sins in Romans 4:7-8.

So What?

Like Abraham, we can also have a right relationship with God by trusting Him. God desires dependence, faith, and trust—not faith in our ability—to please Him. Jesus Christ is stronger than our feelings and/or actions. He is able to completely save those who reach out to accept His generous gift of salvation, even when our faith is small. Justification marks the entry point of our relationship with God in salvation when we place our faith/trust in His Son, Jesus Christ.

How do we get rid of guilt from our sin? The NIV Study Bible suggests: 1) quit denying our guilt and recognize our sin, 2) admit our guilt to God and ask for His forgiveness, and 3) let go of our guilt and believe that God has forgiven us.

In view of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, is any sin too big for Him to cover?

The Meaning of Circumcision, Romans 4:9-12

Posted on February 15, 2015 by KD Manes under Bible Study

Is the one God blesses by crediting him righteous through faith only for the circumcised or uncircumcised? Paul addresses this question by, once again, pointing to Scriptural teaching about Abraham’s account of righteousness. Genesis 15:6 records Abraham being justified—God declaring him not guilty for sins—by faith several years before his circumcision ceremony (Gen. 17:22-27).

Then what was the point of Abraham’s circumcision? Paul explains that it was a sign of the justifying faith he already possessed. Circumcision was a personal certification given to Jewish males from God to signify His chosen people. Also, this covenant sign separated them from other nations who worshiped false gods. God’s blessing and command for circumcision is recorded in Gen. 17:9-14.

The Jerusalem Council

When a group of first-century A.D. Jews looked down on the uncircumcised Gentile believers, Paul played a key role at the Jerusalem Council in settling the dispute on whether Gentiles must be circumcised (Acts 15). After seeking God’s direction, they concluded: God’s circumcision (purification) of the heart results from repentance and faith. These were the only requirements for salvation; the Law served as a guide to highlight their sins so they might repent and return to God (Gal. 3:24-25).

So What?

Abraham found favor from God before he was circumcised—by faith alone. Likewise, our faith should be focused on Christ and His atoning work on the cross, which brings us into a right relationship with God (Gal. 2:16; Titus 3:4-7). The Law was—and still is—impossible to obey completely.

Ceremonies and rituals shouldn’t be confused as a substitute for faith, but rather as outward signs to remind us of our faith and tangible instruction for new and younger believers.

The Promise of Many Descendants, Romans 4:13-25

Posted on February 12, 2015 by KD Manes under Bible Study

“As for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations. No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations. I will make you very fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will come from you. I will establish my covenant between me and you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you.” – Genesis 17:4-7

Abraham’s name means “father of a multitude”. Israel, the nation that would come from Abraham, was to follow God and influence others. Jesus Christ—born to save humanity— descended from Abraham’s family line. 6fbc418779f48e2f1433a58ed83d578b Through Christ, people can have a personal relationship with God and become His children by being grafted into His family.

As the first Hebrew patriarch, Abraham became a role model of faith. God’s promises to Abraham and his descendants are based on grace, not on their ability to keep the Law. Although Abraham made mistakes and sinned, he believed in God’s power and integrity. His goodness and faith became evident in his actions of surrender, obedience, and complete confidence in God to carry out His promises.

Shepherd’s Notes observes: “Putting the relationship between God and humans on a legalistic basis invites the wrath of God. Relationships with a legalistic basis require both parties to carry out perfectly both the spirit and the letter of the Law. Failure to do this results in penalties (wrath) to the offending party. Knowing the weakness of human nature as He does, God knows right relationship must be founded on something other than a legal basis.”

Paul ends this section reminding us that Abraham’s justification by faith has purpose for us too: for “us who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead” (vs. 24) is also reckoned righteousness . . . . Jesus “was delivered over to death for our sins and raised to life for our justification (vs. 25).

So What?

God graciously gave His Son, Jesus Christ, 8607e1deaa4c56349abdb964bdfba256 to be crucified and raised to life as payment for our sins. All who reach out in faith will receive the power of His forgiveness, eternal life, and abundant blessings.

On what basis did God declare Abraham righteous?

What does it mean to be justified by faith?

Benefits of Justification, Romans 5:1-2

Posted on February 11, 2015 by KD Manes under Bible Study

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.” – Romans 5:1-2

Although these two verses are short, they are loaded with significance.

Paul’s opening “therefore” not only connects what he has written in the previous verses, but also summarizes his stance in chapters 1-4.

Peace

The following images come to mind when I think of “peace”. 41ea72419cad64621eb3c86e1169b96b

But the “peace” Paul refers to is a new relationship with God where hostility of sin is absent because it has been removed. It is both objective and external.

What are the benefits of justification?

Along with acquiring a new relationship with God when justified by faith (vs. 1-2), we are also blessed with the following:

Access to God. Ephesians 2:17-18 says, “He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through Him [Jesus] we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.” The curtain that sealed one’s view—and denied access except yearly by the high priest—was torn when Jesus died on the cross. This symbolized that all believers may come into God’s presence any time (Mark 15:38; Hebrews 10:19).
Hope of sharing the glory of God. We can look forward to our future because God promises to share His glory. In fact, His obedient children are currently reflecting His glory. “This grace in which we stand,” is the utmost privilege. Besides declaring us not guilty, God has also drawn us close to Himself. When we were enemies with Him, He made a way for us to not only be His friends, but also His children (John 15:15; Galatians 4:5).

So What?

Those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ can confidently relax in the assurance that Christ paid the death penalty for their sins and are declared not guilty through His resurrection.

Do you have peace with God?

“For He [Jesus] himself is our peace . . .” – Ephesians 2:14

The following link will take you to a short informational video about the Old Testament temple and the veil that separated God from people: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDNHoijNO2I

The Believer and Suffering, Romans 5:3-5

Posted on February 10, 2015 by KD Manes under Bible Study

When I’m biking I occasionally see deer grazing on the surrounding hills. I love watching them bound uphill, gracefully jumping over brush. If only I could painlessly leap over problems like that, I think to myself. But that rarely—if never—happens, unless God removes the obstacle(s). It’s not that God doesn’t grant strength, He does when asked. But rough terrain is par for the course during our earthly journey.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA In fact, the Bible doesn’t promise believers that problems and trials will dissolve once we place our trust in Christ. Rather, God challenges us to embrace suffering as a source of joy (James 1:2-4; 1 Peter 1:6-7). Why? The results from Christian suffering bring spiritual maturity. This is another benefit of justification (God’s act of declaring us “not guilty” for our sins), along with a new relationship with God, access to God, and peace with God.

A New Understanding in Suffering

In this passage Paul—who was no stranger to suffering—outlines a linked-chain process of Christian suffering:

“Suffering produces perseverance” (vs. 3): Suffering translated is pressure, distress from outward circumstances.
“Perseverance produces character” (vs. 4): Character translated describes the quality of being approved. “Endurance brings proof that we have stood the test” (vs. 4, NEB).
“Character produces hope” (vs. 4): Paul tells us that this hope “does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us” (vs. 5).

So What?

My NIV Study Bible says it well: “In the future we will become, but until then we must overcome. This means we will experience difficulties that will help us grow. We rejoice in suffering not because we like pain or deny its tragedy, but because we know God is using life’s difficulties and Satan’s attacks to grow our character.”