Romans 4:1-3

Passage

Therefore, what will we say to have found Abraham as our ancestor according to our flesh?  For if Abraham was being declared righteous out of works, he has reason for boasting – but not before God.  For what does scripture say?  And Abraham was faithful by God, and it was being credited to him as righteousness.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

As Paul continues to unpack this idea of salvation and what makes us special in God’s eyes, Paul turns to Abraham.  After all, it is with Abraham that God first promises to have a special relationship with someone.  So Paul wants to go to Abraham as an example and say that what is true for Abraham is probably true for every single person who follows Abraham.  Whether Jew or Gentile, if God came to Abraham and developed relationship with him for a reason, that reason is important.

Why do you think God developed a relationship with Abraham?  Why is it that God came to Abraham and wanted to develop something personal?  Do you believe these same reasons would translate to you as well?

Second Thought:

Paul says that Abraham was indeed faithful.  Abraham believed.  But Abraham did it by God’s power.  Yes, Abraham was obedient to God, but he got there through God’s power rather than his own.  Abraham’s faithfulness is first about submission and then about obedience.  It is not Abraham’s work that makes Abraham great.  It is God’s ability to work through Abraham that makes him great.

How good are you at letting God work through you?  How good are you at stepping back and allowing God to work through you?  How much do you understand and promote God’s name in the moments of your success?

Third Thought:

Finally, we are told that Abraham’s faithfulness was credited to him as righteousness.  God working through Abraham is credited to Abraham as righteousness.  Here again we see that the importance isn’t on Abraham’s work, but God’s work.  And we see that Abraham is the recipient of a gift.  God credits Abraham for what God does through Abraham.  This is a precursor for how we receive Christ.  Jesus died for our sake, yet God’s work is credited to us.

How do you feel knowing that God graciously credits you for His work that He does through you?  Does this make you more or less willing to submit to Him?  How will that submission impact His ability to work through you and therefore credit more to your account?

Passage for Tomorrow: Romans 4:4-8