[W]e have received grace and apostleship [from Jesus Christ] to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations[.]

Romans 4

[W]e have received grace and apostleship [from Jesus Christ] to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations[.] Romans 1:5

This morning, I continued my study of Romans.  Using my commentary - Exalting Jesus in Romans (eBook) - I continued with my review of chapter five Faith Alone, which covers the entirety of Romans 4.  My focus today is a look back at the whole of Romans 4, as my commentary provides a number of "practical reflections":

1. We should never get over the good news of justification by faith; it is good news indeed that God is so full of grace for us - we are undeserving of salvation and the many blessings He pours out - yet He provides anyway!
2. We should never get over the fact that we are part of the people of God; I am blessed indeed by a family in Christ that continues to bless me.
3. We are encouraged to allow the doctrine of justification by faith to shape our lives and the lives of our churches; this community of faith should be (a) humble, (b) happy/cheerful/joyful/satisfied, (c) obedient, (d) missional, (e) hope and faith-filled

In particular, 3(c) reminds me of John Piper's book where we read how God brings about obedience by producing faith and it's desire to worship and glorify Him. My commentary uses Romans 1:5 to demonstrate how obedience is not the source of our faith but instead it is the fruit of our faith. 

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who is so full of grace and compassion for me - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of the many blessings You pour out for me.  My sin continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring—not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all, as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”—in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist.

Romans 4:9-17

That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring—not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all, as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”—in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. Romans 4:16-17

This morning, I continued my study of Romans.  Using my commentary - Exalting Jesus in Romans (eBook) - I continued with my review of chapter five Faith Alone, which covers the entirety of Romans 4.  My focus today is Romans 4:9-17. Paul continues to use Abraham as the example from the Old Testament (and as our forefather) to build on his statement that we are justified by faith alone. 

My commentary indicates that the text from today makes two key points: (1) we are not justified by circumcision, and (2) we are not justified by the law. Verse 11 is used to point out how circumcision was a "sign" and "seal" of faith - and not a cause or basis of faith. We are encouraged here to see how justification by faith and not by circumcision or the law gives hope to Jews and Gentiles alike as v16 highlights how Abraham is the "father of many nations." The commentary also indicates that "[b]elieving leads to belonging."  We are finally encouraged to focus on v17 where my commentary states that Paul looks at the nature of Abraham's faith as he is a "model for us as he believed in God 'who gives life to the dead and calls things into existence that do not exist."  God created the world and our faith - from nothing, even our spiritual deadness. 

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who gave me faith - thank You Jesus!  The greatest gift of all time.  I am not deserving - by a long shot.  My sin of many kinds, continues.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works: "Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered[.]

Romans 4:1-8

 And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works: "Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered[.] Romans 4:5-7

This morning, I continued my study of Romans.  Using my commentary - Exalting Jesus in Romans (eBook) - I started my review of chapter five Faith Alone, which covers Romans 4:1-25 and Paul discussion of justification as he reflects on the story of Abraham.  For today, the focus is Romans 4:1-8.  In these 8 verses, Paul makes it clear that just as Abraham was justified due to his faith, so are we.  Abraham of course acted out of his faith but it was his faith that spurred him to act.  Paul, well-versed in scripture, quotes both Genesis 15:6 where we read about Abraham's covenant with God and also in Psalms 32:1 where David reflects on the blessing of God's forgiveness. 

My commentary refers to Romans 4 as a story of both faith/belief and in belonging as Paul refers to Abraham in v1 as our forefather - implying that Jews and Gentiles alike are adopted into God's family.  We are also encouraged to remember all of the promises made (and kept!) by God as part of his covenant with Abraham - that Abraham and Sarah were to have a child (at very old age!), their descendants are to be numerous, and that God would give Abraham and his family Canaan as their home. We are also encouraged to see the foundational verses here (v2-3) as God "granted Abraham the status of 'righteous' when he believed."  The emphasis of how our righteousness is not earned but instead granted by faith alone is underscored in v5 where Paul writes how even the "ungodly" are justified by faith and my commentary makes sure we understand that Paul writes how Abraham is in this category of ungodly.  Paul's reference to David underscores how all of scripture is unified in this important subject of justification by faith alone. 

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Heavenly Father - You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace and mercy for me - thank You Jesus!  I am of course undeserving - my sin of worry, etc. continues.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.