What a great weekend! Sunday services were full of energy and I had fun fielding your questions. Thanks for staying in the study even when the material is difficult! This weeks readings are Monday - Romans 4, Tuesday - Romans 5, Wednesday - Romans 6, Thursday - Romans 7, and Friday - Romans 8.
Today as I read Romans 4 I was relieved that Paul had taken a new historic perspective on his grace presentation. He moves here to talk about Israel's history of grace as seen through the patriarch Abraham. Paul uses accounting or market terms in his discussion of Abraham's righteousness and by extension our own righteousness. He says it is reckoned or accounted to Abraham as dikiaosune a Greek version of the Hebrew tsadiqa. In the marketplace when a purchaser struck a bargain with the seller these words were often said over the deal. As the haggling came to a successful climax the seller would offer "tsadiq" and the satisfied buyer would affirm the offer with "tsadiqah"
So here in Romans 4:3 when "Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness." it is not necessarily saying Abraham is righteous, but that God accepts his belief as righteous. There is a difference.
Paul goes on to point out an interesting theological point - especially interesting to the Jewish and Gentile readers of his day, that Abraham at the time of this pronouncement of righteousness was not yet circumcised. So it was not by any act or work on Abraham's part that he is accounted as righteous, but it is a gift from God.
If this topic sounds familiar, it is because it is just another approach to Paul's arguments in the first few chapters that humanity is not saved by the Good Works of the Gentiles nor are we saved by the Law of the Jews, but by the grace of God through faith.
About Me
- Pastor Bill
- I am a committed follower of Jesus Christ, a happy husband, father and grandfather!
6 comments:
Hello everyone. It was wonderful to join you all for service on Sunday. What you folks have is a wonderful thing, a way to share together in the name of Jesus. I've worked with so many of the youth in Young Life, and it is amazing to see how well they can come together knowing of the love of Christ. Drug addicts, gang leaders, depressed kids, and so many others, bow down and find salvation in Jesus. Congratulations on what you are doing with NCM. It's going to be awesome, and it's going to change the North Country forever.
I hope to continue this bible study as much as possible with you folks. Who wouldn't want to read the Bible with so many fellow Christians.
This chapter in Romans brings together some really important Old Testament teachings/happenings to emphasize the salvation we have through faith. It is incredible to think about how things were back then - Jew/Gentile, Circum/un, etc. Yet, beyond all these things, Faith alone saved the people. Abraham had belief that was richous, not becuase of the law or of actions, but becuase of faith. I love the way Paul writes. I often find myself reading and re-reading, despite the fact that he often reiterates what he is saying. He makes the clear point in this chapter that we are saved becuase of the Faith of Abraham, and that he is the father of the nations, including you and me.
This whole chapter makes me think about what Pastor Bill was discussing on Sunday: Give them the Blood, and then Give it again... Jesus died and gave us the most amazing gift ever...We can be saved, no matter what our past, nationality, etc. He was a darn good guy, who changed humanity for eternity, and we can't forget it.
Thanks again. I'll be praying for you guys! God bless!
Thanks for joining in the discussion Marshall - it was great seeing you Sunday!
Bill
Romans teaches us that we are justified through faith in Christ. Abraham's faith was righteous but what made Abraham righteous in God's eyes? What justified Abraham?
Hi Darlynne,
I think the same thing that allows us to be seen in God's eye as righteous - grace. If you look back at Genesis 15:6 God has just made covenant with Abraham and it is summed up with these simple words - this simple equation if you will, "And he (Abraham) believed the Lord; and the Lord reckoned it to him as righteousness." It doesn't say he was righteous, but he brought what he had - he believed God - and God took that and called it what it probably wasn't - righteousness. All this is the character of God and we are beneficiaries of it as well. Amazing Grace.
Being a Grandfather at 48 years old is sometimes tiring - I could not imagine having a baby when I am 100!
But what a miracle God performed, in spite of the natural conditions of age and a barren womb.
One of the main points I want to latch onto is that Abraham " did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being FULLY convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform".
I have been quick to fall into Satan's trap of believing that my finances are a mess, or that I am sick, or any other negative circumstance that is outside of God's word.
I have been focusing on using positive words and thoughts - a struggle in the natural, but made possible through God.
The power of the spoken word - what an amazing weapon He has given us.
What a major example Abraham set - believing that he and Sarah would conceive a child under their natural conditions.
Praise God for the examples of true faith that He provides us.
My struggle continues, but I also claim victory in the name of Jesus.
Hoorah!!
I love how Paul makes the Gentiles see themselves as part of God's plan all along by tying them into the story of Abraham, making them part of the story, part of the plan, part of the faith family. I think there's a message about hospitality in there some where.
Also, I laugh when Paul calls Abraham "as good as dead." Just makes me smile :)
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