If Luther is right, and I believe that he is, then no teaching of Scripture can be of more importance that the doctrine of justification by grace through faith. That is true for this church and it is true for each one of us individually. If you do not understand this biblical teaching, or if you understand it and refuse to believe it and apply it to yourself, you will miss God. That is why the Apostle Paul spends so much time explaining this doctrine in the early chapters of Romans. He knows that the heart of the gospel message—which is the message of the whole book of Romans—is justification by grace alone, through faith alone, in Jesus Christ alone. He begins explaining this doctrine in 3:21. After completely destroying any hope of finding righteousness before God through our own efforts. In chapter 4, Paul uses the example of Abraham to show that God has always justified people on the basis of His grace as they trust His provision of salvation. In the first argument, in 4:1-8, Paul uses Abraham (and David) to contrast the way of faith to the way of works. The second argument is found in vv. 9-12, where Paul contrasts faith with circumcision. Neither being circumcised nor being uncircumcised makes a person right with God. The third argument is found in vv. 13-17, which is our text for today.
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Tom Ascol
Romans #18 The Grace of God in the Gospel Grace Baptist Church
