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Romans 4:1-4
Paul uses Abraham to state his case for justification by faith and notes that if Abraham was justified by works he would have something to boast about (Romans 4:1, NKJV). But this is not the case as Paul quotes Genesis 15:6 which explains where or by how Abraham was considered righteous in the eyes of God: “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness”. The Apostle Paul also notes in Romans 4:4 that when a person does work, his or her wages are not considered given to them from grace, but a debt owed for the work that has been done.
This is an example of the difference between something earned through work, and something given as a free gift from grace.
Abraham is a great example of receiving God’s righteousness through grace as he lived long before the law was given to Moses at Mount Sinai, so earning righteousness by following the law had not yet been implemented; the only law that Abraham knew was the natural law that was planted in his heart. Through this natural law, which the Apostle Paul speaks of in Romans 2:12-16, is a purity of the heart which God is seeking for us all to have in believing/having faith in Him. Jesus proclaims in John 4:23-24 (HCSB), “But an hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth. Yes, the Father wants such people to worship Him. Good is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
Another interesting fact is that we learn from Genesis 11:31 that Abraham (Abram) was a Gentile from “Ur of the Chaldeans” before the Israelites ever became a “people” which did not happen until God renamed Jacob – Abraham’s grandson – Israel (Genesis 32:22-32).
Dear LORD,
You reveal great things to us through reading and studying Your word. Please help us to dedicate ourselves to a daily study of your word and spend time with You in prayer so that we may grow in our relationship with You through our salvation in Jesus, and bring glory to You, Almighty God of all creation. In Jesus name I pray, amen.