God Pause - Lutheran Seminary - Moved by the Promise for Wednesday, 12 March 2014 Romans 4:1 What then will we say that Abraham, our forefather, has found according to the flesh? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not toward God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”[a] 4 Now to him who works, the reward is not counted as grace, but as something owed. 5 But to him who doesn’t work, but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness.
Footnotes:
a. Romans 4:3 Genesis 15:6
13 For the promise to Abraham and to his offspring[a] that he should be heir of the world wasn’t through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. 14 For if those who are of the law are heirs, faith is made void, and the promise is made of no effect. 15 For the law produces wrath, for where there is no law, neither is there disobedience. 16 For this cause it is of faith, that it may be according to grace, to the end that the promise may be sure to all the offspring,[b] 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. 17 As it is written, “I have made you a father of many nations.”[c] This is in the presence of him whom he believed: God, who gives life to the dead, and calls the things that are not, as though they were.
Footnotes:
a. Romans 4:13 or, seed
b. Romans 4:16 or, seed
c. Romans 4:17 Genesis 17:5
St. Paul takes us back to the blessing of Abraham and Sarah. This couple did not gain the blessing of God through their work or merit. The promise of blessing rests in God's grace (Romans 4:16). That should be good news to each one of us. In fact, we trust and believe in the God "who justifies the ungodly!" That is why the good news in Jesus reaches out to everyone.
This is the God who gives a promising future and hope so that, like Abraham and Sarah, we walk in faith. The stunning promise is that the God revealed in Jesus "gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist." This means we will be continually surprised by new grace every day. We live in anticipation of how God will be active in our lives. Keep a tight grip on this promise.
Gracious God, we know that you promise new mercies every morning. Help us hold tight to the promise of your blessing. Amen.
Mons Teig
Professor Emeritus, Worship
Romans 4:1 What then are we to say was gained by Abraham, our ancestor according to the flesh?
2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God.
3 For what does the scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness."
4 Now to one who works, wages are not reckoned as a gift but as something due.
5 But to one who without works trusts him who justifies the ungodly, such faith is reckoned as righteousness.
13 For the promise that he would inherit the world did not come to Abraham or to his descendants through the law but through the righteousness of faith.
14 If it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void.
15 For the law brings wrath; but where there is no law, neither is there violation.
16 For this reason it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his descendants, not only to the adherents of the law but also to those who share the faith of Abraham (for he is the father of all of us,
17 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.--New Revised Standard Version
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