Romans 4
Romans 4
[00:00:00] Hey everyone, welcome to God's plan your part year two where this year we're reading through and studying the entire new testament one chapter at a time Thanks again for joining us in discovering god's plan and your part in it Hey guys today. We are in romans chapter four and before we get started with today's episode We just want to thank all of you for joining us this far.
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We all have work to do. Tell them the truth. Tell them what you actually said. Well, quite honestly, this is more of a Ryan chapter. He'll be able to explain it a lot better than me, but it is helpful for me to at least understand that this is a, A leveling chapter. I think when we, uh, finished off the reading, cause we always do the reading first, I think when we finished off the reading, you're like, Oh my word.
What did he even say? No, it just feels like he's saying a lot of something, but it feels like it's the same something over and over and over again. It feels so wrong to say about the book of Romans. Like, Oh, he sure is saying a lot. I'm just saying words I've read better. Okay. So there's not a lot of verses here.
First of all, it's a shorter chapter. So what is it? It's um, 23 verses. It's quite short. Yes. Basically this chapter serves as an illustration, I [00:02:00] would say, like an object lesson. Um, remember, and I feel like I've repeated this enough, but I, I'm just going to keep saying it as we go through just to help you see what's going on.
Paul's addressing. Early believers in Rome, there are apparently a decent number of Jewish believers who resonate very well with Jewish culture and following the law. And there are also a decent amount of Greek believers who may know nothing about the law at all. Um, they may not know, know much about Abraham.
Certainly they're not bragging about their culture, their heritage, their background. And so what Paul's trying to do in the book of Romans is teach these two very different groups of people, sometimes opposed groups of people, uh, what it means to be a follower of Jesus and what he's trying to do. Early on here in the book is help establish a common baseline.
So we've been talking about that. We like, he took kind of separate jabs in chapter one, he jabbed at one side at chapter two, he jabbed at the other [00:03:00] side at chapter three, he established that we're all sinners, we all fall short. And in chapter four, he's going to like firm up this idea. That what you do does not earn you right standing with God.
We've been talking about that quite a bit, but he's going to use Abraham, uh, as an example of that concept. Abraham did not do something to make God want to appreciate him. He just believed what God said and God appreciate him. God, like, He had right relationship with God. God chose him from nothing. So I guess it's helpful to hear that just knowing like, why even bother?
Because there are two very different groups of people. One that would say they'd probably fall more on the justification through works, which would be. Um, and then I don't know that necessarily the Gentiles were the opposite, but they, they definitely had their things they needed to clean up. A hundred percent.
The Gentiles would have not had this cultural understanding of the law. They would not have [00:04:00] understood like sort of who God was. Like they're coming out of a completely different background. They're coming out of many of them like really twisted and evil decisions that were just a regular part of life.
Common things that would have been like, you know, I don't know. Certainly they were, certainly they were pagan people. Like they were not used to believing that there is only one God. That would have been like a pretty stretching thought and idea. Um, it would have been very stretching for them to understand that they did not have to earn God's appreciation by doing certain things because that's what you did with pagan gods.
You did certain things. It was like this plus this plus this equals this. You do this to get God to do that. So even the way they would relate, like the fact that there is one God would have been really stretching the fact that God chose them before they even did anything would have been really stretching.
Uh, and then of course, like. Romans one kind of establishes this list of, um, sexual sin that would have been very prominent and very culturally fairly normal, which then like, these [00:05:00] are also just, these are humans. So like anything from that sin could just like lead into crazy things that just made these people.
And we've talked about how Like, the sexual sin gets a lot of attention in Romans 1, but there's also a lot of other kinds of sins that are listed in Romans 1. I'm trying to pull it up here just to list some of the things that are mentioned. Um, but it's, uh, let's see. Uh, they are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness.
They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty. But like, There's a lot of stuff. Yeah, yeah, yeah. And, you know, what's really crazy about the way that God's Word works is we can still learn a lot from that today. Like there's still a lot of stuff today, and God is calling us out of that stuff.
Well, they quickly, well they, Paul quickly moves right into what seems like more of an issue for the Jews, um. Where he's trying to make the case that although Abraham whom they would know like a [00:06:00] lot about although Abraham was justified by faith like Circumcision was a way to show that yeah, like at the same time He's like hey, although yeah, that was a thing That work did not save him because if you think about Abraham, he was not even like, I don't know, correct me if I'm wrong, he's not like technically Jewish before this even began.
Abraham would have had more in common with the Greek Gentile believers than the Jewish believers. So he like actually like his father was like seriously into idol worship and he like, he just left that. Mm hmm. And what's interesting about Abraham is that it was a sign. of what he believed. Like his faith came first.
Right. And then the circumcision, the work or that symbol was a sign later of what had occurred in his, his spirit. It's good that you're calling this out. Cause I think one of the key [00:07:00] passages in chapter four, I would say probably very smart. People might pick a different verse, but verse nine. Says, is this blessing then only for the circumcised or also for the uncircumcised for, we say that faith was counted to Abraham as righteousness.
He's quoting Genesis, uh, 15, six, how then was it counted to him? Was it before or after he had been circumcised that before or after is a huge question. It was not after, but before, so like God wasn't like, Hey, I'm going to count you as righteous as long as you do this, this, this, and this. And then you are.
And then you are. And then Paul makes an incredible point. This might be going a little bit further than what you were talking about. Paul makes this incredible point that that was written in Genesis by Moses so that even today we would have what we need to understand how to have right relationship with God.
Imagine if that line would have been omitted or imagine if it would have been explained a different way. Right? Like we have. Genesis, the way it was written so that we can understand how to [00:08:00] relate to God. And even back in Genesis 15, it was recorded for us to understand that Abraham was counted as righteous, as righteous because he believed God.
That's it. Well, and like the tail part of. Uh, verse 11, and you'll probably do this because it's how it always happens. I find the end of the verse, you find the beginning, but the end of verse 11 says, the purpose was to make him the father of all who believe without being circumcised so that righteousness would be counted to them as well, essentially like allowing the Gentiles to be a part of this, like they aren't excluded.
Mm hmm. From faith. Like that just is so silly. So I think his point here is to really, like you said before, it's just to really lay this common ground where none is above the other. Um, and like so much so that you can take it all the way back. To Abraham, a very well known, very well respected, um, like pillar of the faith for the [00:09:00] Jewish people.
You can imagine the tension that would have existed in this church when you have people who are pretty used to trying, at least, to live like a righteous appearing life, if that makes sense. Like, imagine like pretty religious people, And then they're sitting next to people. I almost said sitting in the pew and most likely we're not sitting in pews.
Um, but they're, they're sharing space with people who have never been religious and have never tried to be righteous. Like, that's not hard to imagine because that kind of tension still exists. And so you can imagine the kind of judgment that might've been felt, uh, the, the amount of frustration that might've been felt.
And so Paul's saying, listen, like, Abram believed God and it was counted to him as righteousness. It was not what he did beforehand, it is the fact that God called him out and chose him. Crazy thing too. So I think he like keeps taking it step after step further. So in verse [00:10:00] 13, he kind of, he takes what we already are saying, like already thinking like, Oh, the circumcision actually came after.
Then we move a little bit further down the road. And so, obviously, like, Mosaic law was very important to Jewish people, but he's also like, hey, listen, Abraham came first, and in verse 13 it says, For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be the heir of the world did not come through the law, that's the key, but through the righteousness of faith.
Abraham didn't know the Mosaic Law. Like, there was no context of that at all whatsoever, but it says way back at the beginning. His faith, he was still righteous, was credited to him as righteousness. Yeah. Like that's so crazy. Paul's making this case that righteousness is possible outside the law and it has always been possible outside the law.
The law exists to give us a guideline and an idea of what righteousness [00:11:00] looks like. But Abraham didn't have the law. It's a great thing that you're pointing out. And this is not, I guess this, this is where I want to jump in. Spin this little bit. This is not some dusty old thing that was valuable just to Roman Christians in the first century This continues to be important for us today because we very easily lose sight of this of this thing It is it is really easy for us to assume That this is too scandalous to really believe like it's it's very easy for Christians to fall into this category of like well Right, like all you have to do is believe, but also you should do this, and you should do this, and you should do this, and then you'll be okay.
Like if you just get baptized the right way. Like you should do that before we're comfortable saying you're saved or if you just you know, whatever add What add whatever your flavor of I come from a Mennonite background I'm sure we would have assumed like if you dress the right way and drive the right kind of vehicle or buggy, I guess [00:12:00] You know if you wear a head covering like those kinds of things those don't accomplish righteousness.
They don't And anytime you're in an established community, like you'll, you'll find things that you unintentionally put at the righteousness level. Like if you look this way, act this way, sing these kinds of songs instead of those kinds of songs. Like there's just silly stuff that we do. So it's important to recognize here that this was not just a first century Roman thing.
This is still a thing that we're very actively, um, sorting out. And sometimes again, it creates divisions that should not be there. Well, also, like, too, it, like, reminded me of that song that we used to sing when we were little. Father Abraham. Had many sons. Yeah, but in verse, uh, I guess it's like a, it's part of 16 and 17, um, it's, uh, well, I guess I'll just start at 16.
That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all others. His offspring, not only to the adherent to the law, but [00:13:00] also the ones who share the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all, as it is written, I have made you the father of many nations and the presence of God and whom who believe who gives his life to the dead and calls into existence of things that do not exist.
So it's like, it's really cool that although the law certainly important because it's like a reflection of what you believe, like your faith determines your actions. So like having like That mosaic law, that truly, like, if you look at any of those things, any of the, like, if you specifically think of Ten Commandments, if you follow any of, any or all of those things, all of them counteract what the world tells you, so like, it's definitely important to follow those things as well, but the faith that you have is what should determine the actions that would reflect those.
You're not righteous before God because of the things you do. You're righteous before God because He chose you and you believed Him. Yeah. So it's the faith that justifies you. It's not what you do. What you do comes [00:14:00] afterwards. So like, Abraham, uh, believed God and then acted on the things that God told him to do.
But it's also here that like, um, Paul's making the case that Abraham is the father of all believing people of all. And that's why he says all nations. And, you know, to some degree, this some degree, like it's very exciting to many different kinds of people that you just believe God. And you're righteous in his eyes.
And you believe that he sent Jesus, that Jesus died, was raised for the bit from the dead, Jesus paid the debt for our sin, and we're now righteous before God. And how cool is it? Verse 23, but the words, it was counted to him. We're not written just for his sake alone, but also for ours. That's what I was talking about.
That's that unifying piece. Like. You're Jewish and you have faith. I'm Gentile and I have faith and that is what matters. Like that is what is going to like give us that righteousness. So I think it's just really cool how, although yes, repetitive, it is really interesting how Paul takes, [00:15:00] even in my own mind, what seems to be like these, I don't know, these very strict things.
That are important, but they are not the most important thing and takes it all the way back to Abraham, who, who was like, his faith was credited to him as righteousness. Like, shoot, it goes the whole way back and you can't argue with that. Yeah, exactly. Paul's not making this up based on his opinions. He's making this up based on make, he's not actually making it up.
He's making the case for what he's saying based on scripture, some of the earliest scriptures and the fact that like, I mean, this is what this chapter is saying. Like he wasn't. It wasn't being circumcised that saved him. It was believing God that saved him. So I guess a pretty easy, your part for today is to really try hard not to elevate those other things.
that come before your faith in God. Um, your faith ultimately is what is credited to you as righteousness. And hopefully because of that faith, your life as a reflection of [00:16:00] what the Bible says and what God expects and intends for us as we live here on this earth, that honestly is a pretty much opposite reflection of what God requires of us.
So really take a good inventory of your own life. Think about the things that maybe are you putting instead of your faith in God, um, that you are thinking could potentially get you higher standing with him and really focus on the fact that your faith is what has saved you. And hopefully you are living a life that is reflective of it through your decisions, um, and your day to day life.
So thanks for joining us today in. Chapter four, we'll be back again tomorrow with chapter five. Thanks for joining today's episode of God's Plan, Your Part. As always, please consider partnering with us as we are a listener supported podcast that we hope to continue to grow with support from listeners just like you.
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What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, for if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the scripture say? Abraham believed God and it was counted to him as righteousness. Now, to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift, but by his due.
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 whom God counts righteousness apart from works. Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.
Blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin. Is this blessing then only for the circumcised, or also for the [00:18:00] uncircumcised? For we say that faith was counted to Abraham as righteousness. How then was it counted to him? Was it before or after he had been circumcised? It was not after, but before he was circumcised.
He received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. The purpose was to make him the father of all who believe without being circumcised, so that righteousness would be counted to them as well, and to make him the father of the circumcised who are not merely circumcised, but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.
For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he should be the heir of the world did not come through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. For if it is the adherents of the law who are to be heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. For the law brings wrath. But where there is no law, there is no transgression.[00:19:00]
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.
In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, so shall your offspring be. He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead, since he was about a hundred years old, or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah's womb.
And No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. That is why his faith was counted to him as righteousness. But the words, it [00:20:00] was counted to him, were not written for his sake alone, but for ours also.
It will be counted to us who believe in him, who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification. Thank you so much for listening to today's episode of God's Plan, Your Part. Don't forget, you can find us on just about every social media platform and YouTube.
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