Our titles for today’s study are; Verses 1-12 Abraham’s justification. Verses 13-25 The promise realized through Faith. Today in Romans 4 we should know that law is still in effect, that the Gentiles come to faith through grace. Romans 4 and verse 1 reads.
Rom.4:1] What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?
Abraham had found faith. God had led Abraham from his beginning. You can find his name first mentioned in Genesis 11:26 when his name was first Abram.
Rom.4:2] For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.
This we learned in the last chapter, let’s go back to Romans 3 and verse 19 reads.
Rom.3:19] Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
[20] Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
And verse 27 reads.
Rom.3:27] Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.
[28] Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
Back to Romans 4 and verse 3 reads.
Rom.4:3] For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
Did not God lead Abraham? Where is it written? Let’s go to Genesis 15 and verse 4 reads.
Gen.15:4] And, behold, the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir.
At this time Abraham had no heir, and the one that was born in his house was not his child.
Gen.15:5] And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.
[6] And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.
[7] And he said unto him, I am the LORD that brought thee out of Ur of the Chaldees, to give thee this land to inherit it.
Back to Romans 4 and verse 4 reads.
Rom.4:4] Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
Working for the flesh, a paycheck. Most people can’t understand what is being said here. This is simple if you understand the Three Earth and Heaven Ages. And the fact that some have earned the rank of Elect for this earth age. Let’s go to Romans 11 and verse 4 reads.
Rom.11:4] But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.
[5] Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
This remnant is God’s Elect. Those who are alive at the end times when Satan is here de-facto at the sixth trump. Who are delivered up with the gospel armor on and will STAND, not fly away, but Stand and the Holy Spirit will speak through them.
Rom.11:6] And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
[7] What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded
Never forget, what God has blinded we cannot make see.
Rom.11:8] (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.
Written where? Let’s go to Deuteronomy 29 and verse 3 reads.
Deu.29:3] The great temptations which thine eyes have seen, the signs, and those great miracles:
They saw the Red Sea part and they walked across on dry ground. The Fire by night and clouds by day. The LORD before them and the LORD guarding their backs.
Deu.29:4] Yet the LORD hath not given you an heart to perceive, and eyes to see, and ears to hear, unto this day.
Because of unbelief the children of Israel died in the wilderness. Now let’s go to Isaiah 29 and verse 10 reads.
Isa.29:10] For the LORD hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered.
The rulers are likened to children and priests have become false prophets. Beware, prophecy is meant for the end times as well.
Isa.29:11] And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed:
Notice it is not God’s Word that says this, but men will say this. Revelation means; to open or make known. Yet many people say it is sealed to this day. They are right, it is their eyes that the LORD has closed, but for us, we study to show ourselves approved.
Isa.29:12] And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned.
[13] Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:
[14] Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.
Now let’s go to Amos 8 and verse 11 reads.
Amos 8:11] Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD:
This is why I always say; If you don’t understand the first six chapters of God’s Word, you will never understand the end. Find time to study the first six chapters of Genesis with TheChristMinistries.org. Back to Romans 4 and verse 5 reads.
Rom.4:5] But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
But to him that work for the Spirit, for him it is counted as righteousness.
Rom.4:6] Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,
[7] Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.
Our sins are cloaked with the blood of the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ. This we find in Psalms 32 and verse 1 reads.
Psa.32:1] Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
[2] Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.
[3] When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long.
[4] For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah.
[5] I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.
This is what repentance is, we confess our sins to the Father, and we have that change of heart. Don’t overlook that we have the Son of God here in the Old Testament.
Psa.32:6] For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him.
Rev.17:15, the waters are the people. 1Cor.10:11, all these happen for examples to them in the end times.
Psa.32:7] Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.
[8] I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.
[9] Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee.
Don’t be led by the mouth by false teachers. In these end times we need to be aware that the Dragon spews lies out of his mouth. Rev.12:15-17.
Psa.32:10] Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the LORD, mercy shall compass him about.
[11] Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.
Back to Romans 4 and verse 8 reads.
Rom.4:8] Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.
Who’s sin the Lord has covered with the blood of the Lamb.
Rom.4:9] Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.
[10] How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.
He was counted as righteousness when he was not yet circumcised. He would be circumcised fourteen years later. It was his faith that gave him righteousness.
Rom.4:11] And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:
It would be through his loins that Christ would come. Christ on the cross was The Sacrifice, once and for all time. Remember Hosea 6 and verse 6 reads.
Hos.6:6] For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.
Mercy is love. Knowledge of God’s Word more than burnt offerings. Back to Romans 4 and verse 12 reads.
Rom.4:12] And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.
Speaking of the Gentiles who become Christians. Let’s go to Genesis 17 and verse 3 reads.
Gen.17:3] And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying,
[4] As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations.
[5] Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee.
Abram H87 means; High father. Abraham H85 means; Father of a multitude or many nations.
Gen.17:6] And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee.
[7] And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.
[8] And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.
This land is greater than that of today. Where the house of Judah, Israel, has even until today. Because in Ezekiel 40-48 we learn that this land is divided for all twelve tribes of Israel in the millennium.
Gen.17:9] And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee in their generations.
[10] This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised.
Until Jesus was crucified on the cross bringing in the Gentiles that believe on him. Circumcision is of the heart. Deut.30:6. Back to Romans 4 and verse 13 reads.
Rom.4:13] For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.
[14] For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:
Isa.43:26, God said to remind me of my promises. He wants to know if you have read his Word. Void means; empty. None effect means; of no use.
Rom.4:15] Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.
Don’t let this confuse you, we are still under law, just not blood ordinances. No more sacrifices, no more circumcision. But law is law and sin is transgression of the law. I believe this is why some teach we are no longer under law, to hide their own sins. But nothing is hidden from the LORD.
Rom.4:16] Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,
Let’s go to Isaiah 51 and verse 1 reads.
Isa.51:1] Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the LORD: look unto the rock whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye are digged.
[2] Look unto Abraham your father, and unto Sarah that bare you: for I called him alone, and blessed him, and increased him.
[3] For the LORD shall comfort Zion: he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody.
[4] Hearken unto me, my people; and give ear unto me, O my nation: for a law shall proceed from me, and I will make my judgment to rest for a light of the people.
[5] My righteousness is near; my salvation is gone forth, and mine arms shall judge the people; the isles shall wait upon me, and on mine arm shall they trust.
The Light is Christ, his salvation is Jesus Christ, only he is our Comforter and whom we trust. Don’t overlook; Wait on me, speaking of his second advent. Back to Romans 4 and verse 17 reads.
Rom.4:17] (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.
Written in Genesis 17:5, from Abrams to Abraham. Quicken means; to make alive. Upon repentance of our sins, we shall live.
Rom.4:18] Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations; according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.
[19] And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara’s womb:
[20] He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;
Find time to read Genesis 18, how Sarah laughed at the thought that she would bare a child. But Abraham laughed first, so the LORD named their child Isaac, which means; Laughter.
Rom.4:21] And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.
Promises made, promises fulfilled.
Rom.4:22] And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.
[23] Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;
Not written for Abraham, but written for us. Let’s go to 1Corinthians 10 and verse 11 reads.
1Cor.10:11] Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
Back to Romans 4 and verse 24 reads.
Rom.4:24] But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;
[25] Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.
Justified through repentance, to those that believe on Jesus. Jesus died on the cross for our sins and was risen on the third day for our justification. We learned in this chapter that Faith is Belief, let’s go to John 3 and verse 15 reads.
John 3:15] That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
[16] For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
[17] For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
[18] He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
[19] And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
[20] For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
The Light exposes sins, this is why evil hates God and will hate you also because you have chosen his name, Christians. Let’s go to his throne.
Father, we thank you for your word and ask that you bless all that love you in Jesus’s precious name, Amen.
KJV along with The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance Of The Bible