First, Faith

Note: I apologize that we are still not completely caught up. My intent is to post several entries today so that we will be back on schedule by the end of the end of the day. Thank you for your patience.

B'rit Chadashah Reading:
Romans 4:1-25

In Romans 4, Paul argues for justification by faith by referring to the story of Abraham's life. No one would doubt that Abraham was a man chosen and loved by G-d. Paul reminds us (by quoting from Genesis 15:6) in Romans 4:3 that "Abraham believed G-d, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” Paul goes on to point out that if Abraham earned his righteousness through works, he would only have been receiving what was due him, much as an employee receives a pay check. But G-d credited righteousness to Abraham based on his faith.

In verse 11, Paul reminds us also that Abraham's faith came before his circumcision and before the Law was given. Therefore, the covenant promise to Abraham and his descendants was based solely on Abraham's faith in G-d, and not on anything Abraham achieved through works.

Does this mean, then, that because we have received the covenant through grace and faith that we can be completely lawless? Absolutely not! Remember, Abraham first had faith in G-d, which was credited to him as righteousness, but he was then obedient to G-d's commands. While our obedience to G-d's laws does not earn us righteousness, it does demonstrate the faith we have in our hearts. In verse 18 Paul reminds us that Abraham believed in "hope against hope." In whom did Abraham have hope? He did not have this hope in himself. In fact, as we have seen in Parsha Lech Lecha, every time Abraham put his faith in his own way of handling things the results were disastrous. No, his hope was in G-d alone. And because of this hope, this faith, Abraham obeyed G-d's commands in relocating, in circumcision, and later in his willingness to sacrifice his only son.

This reading ends with good news for us, too. We find in Romans 4:23-25 that it was not only for Abraham's sake that his faith was credited to him as righteousness. It was written for our sake also, so that we can be assured that if we put our faith in the G-d who raised Y'shua from the dead, it will be credited to us as righteousness also. What good news that our G-d is a holy G-d and is also a merciful G-d who understands the fragility of His creatures!

My prayer is that I would grow in my faith in G-d and live out my faith through obedience to Him.

New American Standard Bible : 1995 update. 1995 (Ro 4:3). LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.