Spoken at SGBC

5-3-98

Romans #22, 4:1-12

What has Abraham found?

(Romans 4:1-12 NASB) "What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has found? {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? "AND ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS." {4} Now to the one who works, his wage is not reckoned as a favor, but as what is due. {5} But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned as righteousness, {6} just as David also speaks of the blessing upon the man to whom God reckons righteousness apart from works: {7} "BLESSED ARE THOSE WHOSE LAWLESS DEEDS HAVE BEEN FORGIVEN, AND WHOSE SINS HAVE BEEN COVERED. {8} "BLESSED IS THE MAN WHOSE SIN THE LORD WILL NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT." {9} Is this blessing then upon the circumcised, or upon the uncircumcised also? For we say, "FAITH WAS RECKONED TO ABRAHAM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS." {10} How then was it reckoned? While he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? Not while circumcised, but while uncircumcised; {11} and he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while uncircumcised, that he might be the father of all who believe without being circumcised, that righteousness might be reckoned to them, {12} and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also follow in the steps of the faith of our father Abraham which he had while uncircumcised."

Abraham was to Paul and all other Jews a real flesh and blood ancestor. He was not only the father of their nation in the physical sense but the father of their faith as well. However the true faith of Abraham was not understood by the majority of the Jews. For they believed that men were saved by the religious things they did, law keeping, sacrifice, ceremony and by their connection to Abraham. Abraham knew that his acceptance with God was by faith alone. This is why Paul chose to illustrate the truth of justification by faith alone by referring to Abraham.

He begins with the question, "What has Abraham found according to the flesh?" Did he discover the way of life by works? Did he obtain acceptance with God by his obedience to the law? "What has Abraham found according to the flesh?"

The Jews were convinced that Abraham was justified by his law keeping or by his own personal righteousness. Further, as verse two indicates, they boasted about Abraham&rsquos justification by his own righteousness. You may be surprised by how strongly the Jews believed that Abraham&rsquos personal perfections had made him right with God. Abraham&rsquos righteousness had caused God to choose him to be the father of the Jewish nation. Jewish tradition tells us that Abraham began to serve the true and living God at the age of three and did so perfectly to his death. The scripture, however tells us, in Joshua twenty-four and verse two that prior to the call of God Abraham and his family were idolaters. History shows that the inhabitants of Ur, the country from which Abraham came, were worshipers of the moon god. Our brothers pre-salvation name was Abram which means, "Father is exalted." The father intended was not our God, it was the moon deity. Nevertheless the Jews continue to promote the life long righteousness of Abraham.

In a Jewish document called the "Prayer of Manasseh #8" we find these words. "Therefore thou O Lord God of the righteous has not appointed repentance for the righteous, for Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, who did not sin against Thee, but Thou hast appointed repentance for me who am a sinner." The Jews believed that Abraham was sinless!

The book of Jubilees, also of the Jews, contains this statement, "Abraham was perfect in all his deeds with the Lord, and well pleasing in righteousness all the days of his life." In addition I offer this most amazing fact. The Jews referred, without apology, to Genesis fifteen-six in support of their contention that Abraham was justified by his works. (Genesis 15:5-6 NASB) "And He (God) took him (Abraham) outside and said, "Now look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them." And He said to him, "So shall your descendants be." {6} THEN HE (Abraham) BELIEVED IN THE LORD; AND HE (God) RECKONED IT (his believing or faith) TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS." How this text can be offered in support of a works based salvation is beyond me. For it speaks of faith not works.

Here is yet another bold and erroneous statement. "Our father Abraham became the heir of this and the coming world simply by the MERIT OF THE FAITH with which he believed in the Lord. As it is written, "He believed in the Lord who counted it to him as righteousness," (Pg 146 note 114 Hendricksen). Their doctrine is this. Abraham&rsquos faith earned him the favor of God. His faith caused God to reward him with eternal life. The word merit has to do with one receiving spiritual credit for good works. In this case faith is said to be the work which gains the payment or reward of God&rsquos acceptance.

There are many people today who believe and teach the same thing. That God cruses the universe searching the hearts of men for faith and when He finds it He rewards this person with salvation. Faith is thought to be the work of men and the cause of salvation. Faith, according to this view is a good work performed by men which earns the favor of God.

Paul, by the Holy Spirit, rightly rejects this doctrine of meritorious faith and proves his point by setting forth the proper meaning of Genesis fifteen-six. (Romans 4:2-5 NASB) "For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about; but not before God. {3} For what does the Scripture say? "AND ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS." (This means that from the moment Abraham believed he accepted by God or saved from the wrath to come. When Abraham believed He was given credit for being perfectly righteous even though he had not been. By faith Abraham, the sinner, was justified before God. What an amazing and wonderful thing! The question is, why was he now considered or reckoned righteous by God. Was it a gracious reckoning which ignored the fact that Abraham deserved God&rsquos wrath for his sin? Or was righteousness reckoned to him as payment for his having lived a righteous life or for preforming the work of believing? Paul answers the question.) {4} Now to the one who works, his wage is not reckoned as a favor, but as what is due. (In other words if you work for God&rsquos favor then salvation is not by grace. It is the payment of what is due. Even faith becomes a human work when one believes that HIS FAITH HAS EARNED God&rsquos favor and acceptance. This is salvation by works. Paul continues.) {5} But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned as righteousness."

Let me read Genesis 15:5-6 NASB once again. {6} "THEN HE BELIEVED IN THE LORD; AND HE (God) RECKONED IT TO HIM (Abraham) AS RIGHTEOUSNESS." No where in this text can you find the slightest reference to human merit! Quite the contrary, we see righteousness imputed or reckoned or credited or graciously given to Abraham THOUGH the instrument of faith. That which is reckoned to one THROUGH faith is not earned, it is given freely as a favor. That this is what Paul attempts to teach is borne out by the rest of the chapter. Consider the following verses in our text.

(Romans 4:6 NASB) "just as David also speaks of the blessing upon the man to whom God RECKONS righteousness APART FROM WORKS:" To reckon one as righteous apart from works is to declare him pure and holy in spite of his sin and rebellion. It is to declare him acceptable to God in spite of the lack of merit in him. This reckoning takes place without consideration of the human condition. It is a gracious reckoning. Praise be to God! Paul makes this statement again and again.

(Romans 4:11 NASB) "and he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had WHILE UNCIRCUMCISED, (Abraham believed in God and was declared righteous BEFORE he was circumcised. This is very important! For the Jews believed that circumcision made one right and acceptable with God. Paul argues that Abraham was right with God before he was circumcised. Therefore, he was accepted on the basis of faith, not works.) that he might be the father of all who believe WITHOUT BEING CIRCUMCISED, that righteousness might be RECKONED to them," Not earned, but freely and graciously given as a gift.

(Romans 4:23-25 NASB) "Now not for his sake only was it written, that it was reckoned to him, {24} but for our sake also, to whom it (righteousness and acceptance with God, eternal life) will be reckoned, as those who BELIEVE (have faith, trust) in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, {25} He who was delivered up because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification."

Salvation is graciously reckoned to sinners though faith, it has nothing to do with ones behavior. Now let me show you that faith cannot be a meritorious work preformed by men. It cannot be so because the faith by which a person is saved DOES NOT ORIGINATE WITH HIM. Saving faith DOES NOT originate with men. Therefore, faith cannot be the reason God chose Abraham. For he had no faith before God gave it to him. Let me explain from the scriptures.

The first reference I take you to reminds us of the true condition of fallen humanity, including Abraham. See if you can find faith in the heart of this sinner. (Romans 3:10-18 NASB) as it is written, "THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NOT EVEN ONE; {11} THERE IS NONE WHO UNDERSTANDS, THERE IS NONE WHO SEEKS FOR GOD; {12} ALL HAVE TURNED ASIDE, TOGETHER THEY HAVE BECOME USELESS; THERE IS NONE WHO DOES GOOD, THERE IS NOT EVEN ONE." {13} "THEIR THROAT IS AN OPEN GRAVE, WITH THEIR TONGUES THEY KEEP DECEIVING," "THE POISON OF ASPS IS UNDER THEIR LIPS"; {14} "WHOSE MOUTH IS FULL OF CURSING AND BITTERNESS"; {15} "THEIR FEET ARE SWIFT TO SHED BLOOD, {16} DESTRUCTION AND MISERY ARE IN THEIR PATHS, {17} AND THE PATH OF PEACE HAVE THEY NOT KNOWN." {18} "THERE IS NO FEAR OF GOD BEFORE THEIR EYES." This, brothers and sisters, is a description of every human being. Apart from a miracle of God this person will never have saving faith! He has no capacity to believe in Christ for salvation.

Consider also (1 Corinthians 2:14 NASB) "But a natural man (a non-Christian) does not accept the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness to him, and he CANNOT UNDERSTAND THEM, because they are spiritually appraised." Think about it. If a non-Christian cannot accept the things of the Spirit of God, if he cannot understand them, can he believe them? Can such a man have saving faith? The answer is no.

Folks, we must accept this truth. If God were cruising the universe looking for faith in men through which He could save them there would never be a man, women, or child saved. For unregenerate man is faithless until faith is given to him by his Creator.

The following texts will reveal to us exactly how Abraham came to have faith in God for salvation. It will also show us that the faith by which he believed was not a work of human flesh.

(Ephesians 2:8-10 NASB) "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and THAT NOT OF YOURSELVES, IT IS THE GIFT OF GOD; {9} NOT AS A RESULT OF WORKS, THAT NO ONE SHOULD BOAST. {10} For we are His workmanship, CREATED in Christ Jesus FOR (not because of, but for . . ) good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." Sinners are not saved by works they are saved through faith. Saving faith does not come from us, it is the gift of God to us! So what do the saved have to boast about? Where do the Jews or any other religious group get off boasting about how they have done something to make themselves acceptable to God? Boasting has been eliminated by the way God designed salvation. His salvation is all of grace not of works lest any man should boast! Salvation is something God does to and for sinners in spite of their lack of righteousness. Therefore, the saved sinner has nothing to boast about. In this way God gets all the glory and credit. All the Christian can say is thank you. The redeemed have nothing to brag about! Nothing, for salvation is of the Lord from the beginning to the end. Even the faith through which we believe comes from God. We must never forget this.

(1 Corinthians 4:7 NASB) "For who regards you as superior? And what do you have that you did not receive? But if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?" Everything a person has, even faith, has come from outside himself, from God. (Philippians 1:29 NASB) "For to you it has been granted (given as a gift) for Christ's sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake." The faith by which we believe in Christ for salvation is given to us by God. Faith does not have a human origin.

(1 Corinthians 1:30-31 NASB) "But BY HIS DOING YOU ARE IN CHRIST JESUS, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, {31} that, just as it is written, "LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD." The Jew boasted that Abraham was accepted by God because of his own goodness and faith but this cannot be. For there is no goodness, there is not even faith in a sinner. There is nothing meritorious for God to recognize or reward. When asked, "How did you become a Christian? We must answer, "It is by God&rsquos doing that I am in Christ."

Surely it is clear that the faith by which Abraham and every other saint of God is reckoned righteous is not in anyway a work of merit? It is a gift FROM God which accompanies His call unto salvation. The faith by which we believe and are saved is a result of the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit. Ladies and gentlemen, brothers and sisters, God does not see faith then choose a man for salvation. Rather, He chooses or elects to save then HE GIVES THE FAITH NECESSARY FOR SALVATION. If faith were something in us that caught God&rsquos attention, something for which He rewarded or paid us then salvation would not be of grace but of works.

Romans {4:4} "Now to the one who works, his wage is not reckoned as a favor, (as grace) but as what is due." {5} But to the one who does not work, (Does not try to earn his salvation.) but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned as righteousness, (This person will be looked upon as righteous in the eyes of God even though he is in actuality ungodly.) {6} just as David also speaks of the blessing upon the man to whom God reckons righteousness apart from works: (without considering his sin.) {7} "BLESSED ARE THOSE WHOSE LAWLESS DEEDS HAVE BEEN FORGIVEN, AND WHOSE SINS HAVE BEEN COVERED. {8} "BLESSED IS THE MAN WHOSE SIN THE LORD WILL NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT." (Again the apostle tells us who these people are, how and when they have been forgiven.) {9} Is this blessing then upon the circumcised, or upon the uncircumcised also? For we say, "FAITH WAS RECKONED TO ABRAHAM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS." {10} How then was it reckoned? While he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? Not while circumcised, but while uncircumcised; (See Genesis 15:1-6 and 17:24-25) {11} and he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while uncircumcised, that he might be the father of all who believe WITHOUT being circumcised, (Or without trying to earn God&rsquos favor by doing something to make themselves acceptable to God.) that righteousness might be reckoned (or graciously given) to them, {12} and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also follow in the steps of the FAITH of our father Abraham which he had while UNCIRCUMCISED."

Because Paul had a large Jewish readership he dealt with this question of circumcision. But he could just as easily have spoken of other things, other human works that millions trust in for salvation. I speak of things like responding to an altar-call, baptism, church membership, doing good to a neighbor, or being part of a Christian family. The thing we must understand is that sinners are not saved because of what they do or do not do. Sinners are saved because of what God does to and for them through faith in Jesus Christ. The just shall live by faith! If you are to be saved you must, with Abraham, believe in Jesus, the only Savior of men&rsquos souls.

No, I am not forgetting that men do not have capacity to believe in Christ for salvation without a miracle of grace. I am merely setting before you that for which YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE. YOU MUST BELIEVE if you hope to be saved. If you do not believe you will not be saved. It is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to trust in Christ for salvation and if you do not you will perish forever.

No, this is not double talk. The facts are these. Men have become slaves of sin, self and the devil. Sinners are in such a condition that they cannot and do not want to come to God through faith in Jesus. Yet, God sets the responsibility to do so squarely on their impotent shoulders. As an unbeliever you MUST repent of your sin in spite of your inability to do so. You MUST flee to Christ believing that He is the Savior of your soul. You MUST do so in spite of your unbelief. You MUST trust in Him alone for acceptance with God and forgiveness of sins if you ever hope to enter His heaven.

The one who believes and is saved is the one who recognizes his responsibility and is not deterred by his personal inability. This sinner moves forward concerned only WITH GOD&rsquoS ABILITY AND WILLINGNESS TO SAVE IMPOTENT SINNERS who come to Him by faith. Just as Jesus commanded the man with the withered hand to do that which was humanly impossible, "Stretch forth your hand," (Matthew 12:13), so also I am asking you to do that which is humanly impossible. Trust Christ alone for the salvation of your soul. Believe in Him for forgiveness of sins. Believe in Him with faith you do not possess. Stretch forth your withered hand of faith and you shall be saved. When you have been saved you will, with the man who was physically healed, recognize that a miracle has occurred. A dead sinner has fled to Christ for salvation. The impotent has done the impossible by the power of God. He has exercised saving faith in Jesus. Where then is boasting? It is entirely excluded. (Ephesians 2:8-9 NASB) "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; {9} not as a result of works, that no one should boast."

What has Abraham found? He has discovered that the just shall live by faith in God through Jesus Christ the Lord.