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The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Romans
Chapter 4
Biblical Faith Power Lesson
Faith in Jesus and God Our Father Path
You make Daily Bread a great sharing experience! Our study of Paul's
letter to the Romans continues as he explains some things that are
very important about Faith, but first let's talk about a couple of
things that keep people from taking the path of Faith into
Christianity.
Do you know anyone who thinks it's just too hard to be a Christian
because there are too many rules? Well, nothing could be further from
the Truth, as you found out in the last chapter that having Faith
frees you from law. That's not to say that we shouldn't all be law
abiding citizens, but rather, being lawful is in our hearts because
the Lord puts it there and we become renewed in spirit and desire to
please our Father by being righteous.
It's very simple. God doesn't want us to turn somersaults to become a
Christian. He doesn't want us to work hard or meet a quota or
anything like that in order to win His Love. All we have to do is
believe that Jesus, His Son, paid the price for our sins on the cross
and that God raised Him from the dead. Other than that, He just wants
us to tell others this great news, which is called the Gospel.
Biblical Faith Power Blessing
Faith in Jesus and God Our Father Promise
Do you know someone who seems to think that the things they've done
in the past are too awful to ever make up for? They feel like they'd
have to do sooooo much in order to ever be found worthy, that they've
given up hope and surrendered to the enemy. That doesn't mean that
they go around murdering or stealing or lying. They can go through
life being quite good people, but their lack of Faith, is just enough
for them to be satan's tool. See, they influence others into thinking
that they can get through life without the Lord just fine, but I ask
you this ... What happens after that?
Oh, yeah, and there's another little thing that keeps so many away
too, it's called righteousness. Righteousness can be inconvenient to
people sometimes. It gets in the way of their "fun" so that's enough
to convince them that being a Christian isn't the path for them. If
it's fun they're looking for, the end of the path they're on, is
anything but fun.
What do these three things have in common? They all require works,
which is exactly what Paul is trying to tell us that we don't need in
order to be saved. Just Faith. Let's read more of what Paul has to
say about Faith and works. He uses Abraham as an example for us to
show how faith is what really counts.
Biblical Faith Power Hope
Faith in Jesus and God Our Father Vow
Paul asks: What can we say that Abraham learned, concerning works?
Because if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to be
proud of, but not in the presence of God. But, what does the
scripture say?
Genesis 15:6
And he [Abraham] believed in the Lord; and He counted it to him for righteousness.
Sorry to interrupt, but, you see, it doesn't say that Abraham was a
good boy scout, so God chose him. It says that because Abraham had
strong faith in God, that's why God chose him.
Paul continues: Now to the person that does works, his reward is not
considered to be of Grace, but of debt. But to the person that
doesn't do works, but believes in Him that justifies the ungodly, his
Faith is counted for righteousness.
Look at it this way. Let's say you get a special loved one a gift.
Now if they pay you for that gift, it becomes - no longer a gift, and
in fact, you'd be quite offended by the implication that you wanted
or needed to be paid back. God doesn't want your "payment" for His
Grace in the form of works either.
Biblical Faith Power Discussion
Faith in Jesus and God Our Father Gift
That doesn't mean He doesn't want you to do good works. He just
doesn't want you to think of them in any way as a payment for His
Grace or that you do them so you won't be obligated in any way, and
that's certainly not what Grace is all about. Grace is free of debt.
Can you see how hurtful it could be to Him? He just wants your Faith
and love. By the way, what we owe Him, we can never pay back. We owe
Him everything.
Paul points out that David pointed this out as well:
Psalms 32:1-2
1 Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin
is covered.
2 Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not
[forgives] iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.
Paul further explains to the Romans (and us) that this blessing
obtained by faith is not for the Jewish only but for Gentiles as
well. And in fact, Abraham received the blessing before he was
circumcised. (Circumcision is a seal or sign of the Covenant that God
made with Abraham. See Genesis,
Chapter 17.) We are heirs of righteousness not of law.
Remember, where there is no law, there is no sin.
Abraham believed that God would and could keep His promise that
through him all the families of the earth would be blessed, and He
would be their God. Never mind that Abraham was near 100 years old,
and Sarah pushing 90, he didn't doubt the promise of God but was
strong in Faith, giving glory to God, and being fully persuaded that,
what He had promised, He was able also to perform.
Romans 4:22-25
22 And therefore it was imputed [credited] to him [Abraham]
for righteousness.
23 Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was
imputed to him;
24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we
believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;
25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised
again for our justification.
Biblical Faith Power Facts
Holy Faith in Jesus and God Our Father
Because of his Faith, Abraham is the father of the faithful, no
matter what nationality. And the promise of eternal life and God's
Grace is given to all of us who are faithful children.
There's another thing that I want to point out to you, because
there's a monster out there called doubt that can sneak in and play
terrible tricks on your Faith, and that can put distance between you
and God that you really don't want to happen.
If you read the entire chapter, you'll see where Paul says that God
calls those things which be not, as though they were, which means that
God makes things happen that seem impossible. It was 25 years after
God made His promise to Abraham, that Isaac was born.
We have to be strong in Faith like Abraham. That means being patient,
and not giving up hope. When something seems hopeless, you have to
remember Abraham, and how his Faith was counted for righteousness.
Biblical Faith Power Conclusion
Faith in Jesus and God Our Father Summary
We have to leave things in God's hands, because we can't make the
impossible happen without Faith. Be patient. Trust in God, and watch
the miracles begin to unfold in your life.
Join us again real soon as we continue with Paul's letter to the
Romans, right here at Daily Bread.
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