The Faith of the Righteous
Romans 4:9-24
Turn to Roman 4. I would have to say that the depth of truth in Romans is so fascinating that I can hardly wait to get to the next section or chapter to see what Paul will uncover next. And how I wish to start is to give you a statement which will indicate where we plan to go this morning, and it is this: The righteousness we receive from God through faith is for God’s glory, our blessing, and is given apart from works. This gift of faith in the heart of the believer then grows through challenges, despite our weaknesses, as it magnifies the glory of God and assures us of His promises.
“Therefore, is this blessing on the circumcised, or on the uncircumcised also? For we say, ‘Faith was counted to Abraham as righteousness.’ How then was it counted? While he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? Not while circumcised, but while uncircumcised; and he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while uncircumcised, so that he might be the father of all who believe without being circumcised, that righteousness might be counted to them, 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.
For the promise to Abraham or to his seed that he would be heir of the world was not through the Law, but through the righteousness of faith. For if those who are of the Law are heirs, faith has been made empty and the promise has been abolished; for the Law brings about wrath, but where there is no law, there also is no trespass.
For this reason it is by faith, in order that it may be according to grace, so that the promise will be guaranteed to all the seed, not only to those who are of the Law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all—as it is written, ‘A father of many nations have I made you’—in the presence of Him whom he believed, even God, who gives life to the dead and calls into being that which does not exist.”
Romans 4:9-17 (LSB)
What has Paul been so concerned about thus far in our study? Well, it would seem that Paul’s primary concern is to teach the fact that salvation comes from faith apart from works. I smiled when I was reading John Piper this week, who said that there is a small voice inside of us that might be tempted to say at this point, Paul, we got it! We got back in (3:22) “even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe.” We got it back in (3:28) “For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law.” We got it back in (4:1-5) “But to the one who does not work, but believes upon Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness.” We got it back in (4:6-8) “blessing on the man to whom God counts righteousness apart from works.” Yet he still keeps going. Why? Why is Paul so adamant that he must keep reinforcing that there is a righteousness that is given by grace, apart from works? Well, the answer is that human nature will always insist on adding to the grace extended to the human heart, as well some significant reasons that Paul will express in Romans 4. And the first reason is from a verse we looked at last week.
“For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about—but not before God!”
Romans 4:2 (LSB)
We said, “The righteousness we receive from God through faith is for God’s glory, our blessing, and is given apart from works.” The first reason “righteousness by grace apart from works” is this:
- A righteousness that is for the glory of God (vs 2).
The Apostle Paul wrote this to the Ephesians:
“In Him, we also have been made an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, to the end that we who first have hoped in Christ would be to the praise of His glory.”
Ephesians 1:11-12 (LSB)
Paul is so adamant that the believer realizes that salvation is a work of God. So much so that it leaves absolutely zero room for boasting. “Where then is boasting? [Paul said] It is excluded.” I guess the question is this: Is there an issue in the human heart to want to boast in self? Maybe we do not feel we need to address this in our culture today, that this is no longer a problem anymore, the problem of boasting. Well, it is obvious that we live in a society that does cherish boasting. And this comes through in so much of the media to entice us, which is so much about me. The culture wants to make sure that I am special. It is almost embarrassing, and I am a product of our culture in many ways. I mean, it started out when my sister used to tease me as I looked in the mirror when I was about eight years old and would sing, “I’m just too good to be true, can’t take my eyes off of me.” Now, I can’t imagine where such vain thoughts came from. It could not have been my heart. But just think of the things that we might complain about, or how easily we might be offended or upset that someone else received recognition and not me.
And I do not care if you are eight years old or ninety-five years old, we will always fight the tendency to falsely believe that somehow my effort, my knowledge, my goodness had something to do with my salvation. And I suppose, until that problem goes away with humanity, Paul must continue to address this issue. But God will have no part in that, as the Bible teaches that God is a jealous God, and therefore, there can be no other gods, including self. And the greatest act in the history of the world is the rescue of sinners, and God will not share the glory of this miracle with anyone, as our goal is to make much of God, not for God to make much of us. Yes, our salvation is for the glory of God, and therefore it must be outside of ourselves. Secondly, why does Paul keep focusing on the truth that the righteousness we gain is given by grace and is apart from works?
“Blessed are those whose lawless deeds have been forgiven, And whose sins have been covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will not take into account.”
Romans 4:7-8 (LSB)
- A righteousness that is intended to bless the believer (vs 7-8).
Blessed is the man. What kind of man? Well, we learned last week that he was an ungodly man and that he was unable, through his effort, to gain a righteousness that could save him. And if that man is unable to save himself, there is no way for that man to be blessed or happy. In fact, he might try to boast, but ultimately it will not bring him blessing. And in Paul’s illustration, we see that David was blessed because he had truly been forgiven. But notice what Paul states prior to the Psalm 32 quote.
“[J]ust as David also speaks of the blessing on the man to whom God counts righteousness apart from works.”
Romans 4:6 LSB)
Important for us to see here is that there is a great blessing in obtaining this righteousness. I believe we understand the blessing of forgiveness, but Paul does not want us to overlook the need and the blessing of this gift of righteousness that is outside of us. It should really strike us as something so undeserved that it would be credited with a righteousness that is not our own. I mean, who would ever dream this up, except God in His great love for us? That God would choose to treat us in a way that counts the righteousness of Christ as ours. This seems to go way beyond forgiveness, for understanding this would be like forgiving someone and then treating them. And therefore, this understanding of our righteousness and forgiveness is meant to bring great joy and blessing to the believer. So, it is not only that God gets the glory, but also the blessing is mine if I can comprehend what is going on here. Blessing only comes one way: faith apart from works. Realizing that a major part of our sin is that we are so focused on ourselves. Yet if you are to be happy or blessed, you must get beyond that, as salvation is intended to bless you. And even the understanding of our salvation is intended to bless us. Next, Paul is going to reinforce the truth of this blessing and consider circumcision.
“Therefore, is this blessing on the circumcised, or on the uncircumcised also? For we say, ‘Faith was counted to Abraham as righteousness.’ How then was it counted? While he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? Not while circumcised, but while uncircumcised.”
Romans 4:9-10 (LSB)
- A righteousness that is before works (vs 9-11).
How did Abraham get right with God here? End of (vs 9) “Faith was counted to Abraham as righteousness.” And this faith that was credited to him as righteousness was it before or after he was circumcised? End of (vs 10) while he was uncircumcised. Verse 11, “while uncircumcised.” Notice the words “sign and seal.” The sign of circumcision, in other words, the act of circumcision, a work. Which was a sign and seal of (vs 11) the righteousness of the faith that he already possessed. In other words, his obedience, this sign and seal, was evidence of a faith he already had. Important to learn here that Abraham’s works were a result of his salvation, not a contributor to his salvation. For when you got saved, it is only then that you were able to perform a good deed. For there are no good deeds apart from faith, and our works and obedience are signs and seals of the one who has already been justified.
So, before we move on here, let me summarize going in the opposite order. Our works and obedience to God do not gain salvation but are evidence of a heart that God is changing into the likeness of Himself. And our understanding of this is so vital that we are blessed. In other words, if we do not fully grasp this wonderful grace of God, we will fail to live with the blessing of knowing all that God has done. As Paul wrote to Timothy, to pray that God might correct those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may give them repentance. In other words, that God might open their blind eyes, to lead them to the full knowledge of the truth, that God might grant them faith. Without that understanding, it will steal from us our joy, our security in Christ, and it will actually hinder our spiritual growth in obedience, as our spiritual growth is dependent on our better understanding or being more aware of God’s goodness in both forgiveness and His offer of righteousness. Jesus said this about a sinful woman:
“For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.”
Luke 7:47 (LSB)
Jesus is not teaching here that our love and thanksgiving are due to the amount of sin forgiven. But He is teaching that our love and thanksgiving are due to the realization of all that He has done, knowing that we, like all people, are sinful. This goes back to Paul’s teaching, that all are ungodly and that none are righteous, even the one who lived an upright life, and likely was guilty of merely looking down on others who did not live the same way. But understanding this great salvation and the joy of being forgiven and the joy of receiving Christ’s righteousness brings great blessing, which results in point number one, all glory going to God. I think that for me, when studying for last week’s message, it made me realize that if anyone could have deserved an A-plus, it was Abraham, but even Abraham knew he needed a righteousness from Christ. And if anyone did not deserve forgiveness, it was David. But David was completely forgiven, and he too received a righteousness for God. These are great truths that must be at the forefront of our understanding of God’s gracious kindness to all who believe.
“For the promise to Abraham or to his seed that he would be heir of the world was not through the Law, but through the righteousness of faith.”
Romans 4:13 (LSB)
“For the promise of Abraham and to his seed.” We have become the seed of Abraham through faith. We become heirs, not through the Law, but through faith.
“For if those who are of the Law are heirs, faith has been made empty and the promise has been abolished.”
Romans 4:14 (LSB)
Here is another hypothetical by Paul, that if someone was considered righteous through the Law. He is saying here that the entire purpose and ministry of Christ would be meaningless. Paul used this kind of language in our church read this week when he said:
“And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied.”
- Corinthians 15:17-19 (LSB)
That if Christ did not rise from the dead, the whole Christian belief system, the entire message of the gospel, means nothing. In other words, that is how important the resurrection is. And the same thing here in our passage, that if righteousness can come through the Law, then the whole Christian belief system and entire message of the gospel mean absolutely nothing. That is how important righteousness by faith apart from works is.
“[F]or the Law brings about wrath, but where there is no law, there also is no trespass.”
Romans 4:15 (LSB)
Here, Paul states that the Law brings about wrath, whereas (vs 13) the righteousness of faith brings about an inheritance. So, Abraham will be heir of either the inheritance of God or the wrath of God, which is true of all men and women, either inheritance or wrath. The Law, God’s wrath, or faith, God’s inheritance. “But where there is no law, there also is no trespass.” Paul does not mean that there was no sin before the Law, but the Law made sin visible. In other words, it was part of the purpose of the Law as it exposed sin, and it actually stirs up more sin. Romans 3:20, for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin. Romans 5:20, now the Law came in so that the transgression would increase. Piper says here that the law not only exposes sin, but it awakens my rebellion against God and the Law. Romans 7:12-13, through the commandment, sin became utterly sinful.
Now, there may be a question in your minds about where our obedience fits in with all this? And this brings us to the second part of our statement: This gift of faith in the heart of the believer then grows through challenges, despite our weaknesses, as it magnifies the glory of God and assures us of His promises. And I believe it is helpful to see this in the life of Abraham, who seems to be the primary example of the one who, through faith, it was counted to him as righteousness. Yet we also know that Abraham obeyed. So how does that fit? Well, we know that the righteousness of faith is imputed righteousness—placed into our account—for all, including Abraham. Verse 9, faith was counted to Abraham as righteousness. Verse 11, that righteousness might be counted to them, all those who came after Abraham and were men and women of faith. So, we know that faith alone is the channel through which I gain this righteousness. But how can Paul say this when so much of the Bible teaches that so much of my blessing is due to my character and my behaviour? So, I want to consider Abraham here because Paul has introduced him, and there are certainly verses which would indicate that Abraham was blessed because of his obedience. In Genesis 22, Abraham offers up his son.
“Then the angel of Yahweh called to Abraham a second time from heaven, and said, ‘By Myself I have sworn, declares Yahweh, because you have done this thing and have not spared your son, your only one, indeed I will greatly bless you, and I will greatly multiply your seed as the stars of the heavens and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your seed shall possess the gate of his enemies.’”
Genesis 22:15-17 (LSB)
Interesting that this is the same promise that God gave to Abraham back in Genesis 15, where the promise was based upon Abraham’s faith, not his works. And we already know from Paul’s writing here that Abraham was not justified by his works. And this is vital to understand so that we are able to differentiate between a non-biblical view, works-based salvation, versus a biblical view of true salvation that serves Christ. Listen to what John Piper wrote:
“God has ordained that the faith which justifies is of such a nature that it changes your life. And the change in your life called obedience, is the evidence, the authentication, and the fruit of the faith which alone stands on the righteousness, which alone provides the foundation for the inheritance.”
John Piper, “Inheriting the World Depends on Faith, Not Law”
Now, this does not change the source of the inheritance, an inheritance that can only come through faith alone. But then to also understand that this kind of obedience is based upon that life of faith. Do you understand that? You and I serve Christ because of all He has done for us. But our obedience to Him has no merit upon our acceptance before God that has already been accomplished by Christ, and the fulfillment of the Law in my life and your life has already been accomplished by Christ. In other words, there is nothing I can do to become more righteous, but there is everything I can do to serve Christ more.
Well, I wish to close our time this morning to consider what Paul will say at the end of this chapter regarding Abraham’s faith and his service to God, so that we might be challenged in our own faith and our own service to Christ. A faith that changes us. In other words, it is not a stagnant faith, but it is a growing faith, and it is plainly seen in the life of Abraham. And I trust that as we study this, we will desire such a “growing faith.”
“In hope against hope he believed, so that he might become a father of many nations according to that which had been spoken, ‘So shall your seed be.’”
Romans 4:18 (LSB)
- A faith that grows in the face of challenges (vs 18).
It is good to know that our faith is not something that is unhelpful in the face of life’s challenges. This is not a belief that only teaches us such things as where we came from, or the history of Israel, the names of the kings, that Jesus came and chose twelve disciples, and that some day, if we trust in Christ, we will be in heaven with him. No, faith in Christ is also a day-by-day journey where Christ is with us, and where we are learning daily to dig deeper spiritually, and where we are being prepared to better battle the next day and the next. Some disappointments in my own life, it is really such a blessing to know that God foreordained those events, that the Lord knew I would have to go through them. Therefore, they are not random; they are not by surprise. A surprise, maybe to me often, but not a surprise to God. And here we learn that Abraham had faith in the face of disappointment. That even in the face of opposition, a bleak outlook, a very discouraging time, there is nothing that can come against such faith. And I realize that this flies in the face of the American dream, because ultimately, everyone at some point will face great discouragement of some sort, and eventually, all of us will die. Yet there is nothing in the experiences of life that can steal our faith in God. A faith that grows in the face of challenges. Secondly,
- A faith that grows despite human weakness (vs 19).
“And without becoming weak in faith he contemplated his own body, now as good as dead since he was about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah’s womb.”
Romans 4:19 (LSB)
Of course, Paul is speaking about the promise to Abraham that Sarah will give birth. I like that comment about Abraham, that he was as good as dead. The way I feel at Friday night hockey sometimes. And I love what Colin Kruse said that Abraham faced the fact that his body was as good as dead. But notice those words, a faith that grows in the face of human weakness. I think one of the disappointments as we get older is the fact that we realize that maybe we cannot do everything. I am a bit of a perfectionist. Anne might question the “bit” part, and so, I like to think that I can tackle whatever comes. That faith is something that gets on my “to-do” list, and after some hard work, I can check it off. But faith is not necessarily about checking off assignments. But our faith is to be growing—though I am weak—and that can mean physically weak, mentally weak, emotionally weak. And the strength of faith does not necessarily mean that it will solve the physical, mental, or emotional weakness. But it can mean a deeper, stronger faith in God.
I realize that as a pastor, I cannot pull the wool over anybody’s eyes, in the sense that as my influence or the influence of anyone in ministry here or at home is directly due to our own spiritual growth. I have limitations, you know that, but it does not mean that I cannot grow stronger spiritually. In fact, that is really my only effectiveness in ministry, to humbly come before God and deepen my walk with Him. And that is your effectiveness as well, as we are all weak, but can still be used with the Lord’s strength. A faith that grows in the face of human weakness. Thirdly,
- A faith that grows in the realization of the glory of God (vs 20).
“[Y]et, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God.”
Romans 4:20 (LSB)
The evidence of a growing faith is a greater acknowledgement of the greatness and the glory of God. A strong belief in God’s goodness, His truthfulness, and His trustworthiness. This is the kind of faith that wholeheartedly gives glory to God for everything God does. Here we read of the faith of Abraham as “not wavering in unbelief.” And I am going to guess that for some of us, there may be areas of life where we waver in unbelief. I am sure sometimes our spouses may be worried about something, and we might say, “Don’t worry about that.” But what about my “worry pile”? I had a great relationship with Anne’s Mom, and she could be a bit of a worrier about certain things, though a great student of God’s Word. And if she was worrying about something and it was getting resolved, I used to tease her that she needed to have some backup worries, “just in case Mom.” Just in case this worry gets resolved, Mom, you need some backup worries. But secretly, at the same time, I have my own “worry” pile. And for you, it could be a number of things: finances, health, family, marriage, a work issue, a relationship struggle, or things that we worry about. Now, there may be other things that you have greatly given over to God and may be doing very well spiritually, and we have learned to leave them in God’s hands. But we still have this pile over here.
But what Paul is saying here is that in those areas of life where the Christian is wavering in disbelief, he should not. Is anything too hard for God? Is anything impossible with God? Is there any question of God’s love for His children? Have you ever known a time when God failed you? Now, this does not mean that God gives us everything we desire or want or think we want, but God is a loving Father, who is all-powerful, and who can fully accomplish everything He desires to do in your life, and He knows what is best for you. Therefore, a strong faith that does not waver in unbelief acknowledges the character of God, a strong faith glorifies God because strong faith treats God like God. Strong faith treats God as the perfect Heavenly Father. Could such a wonderful Father ever be unloving or unkind or untrue? Impossible, never! For God is ever the same, but it is our faith in God that grows. And as it grows, it comes closer to a full realization of His character. And when our faith responds in such a way, it brings God glory. Finally,
- A faith that grows in the assurance of God’s promises (vs 21).
“[A]nd being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to do.”
Romans 4:21 (LSB)
I know this sounds similar to the last point. But point #3 was more directed at the character of God, so that we might glorify Him. But point #4 is more directed at the promises of God. In other words, what God has promised to us. Sometimes we may say things like, I do not fully understand, but I do believe. Thinking that there is no way that Abraham would have known all that God was going to do through Him, though God gave Abraham direct promises, yet he would not have understood all the implications. Nor the challenges that would come before him. But boy, did he believe those promises! Listen to the writer of Hebrews, his commentary on Abraham:
“By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise, for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.”
Hebrews 11:8-10 (LSB)
Hard to overemphasize how little Abraham knew when it says he was looking for a city. It would be like your husband coming home and saying God told us to move out. To move out where? I have no idea. Oakey, were moving to Arkona and going to Elim Bible Chapel. Why? Because Larry said I had to. No, actually Anne made it easy by saying within half a second, I think we should go. The desire to deepen our faith that is evident even during some of the hardest challenges in life. A faith that grows despite our human weakness. A faith that treats God as God and therefore can fully trust Him, and believes in every word that God has said. Look again:
“[Y]et, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to do.”
Romans 4:20-21 (LSB)
If I wished to really personalize this faith, we could read:
“In respect to all that is written in God’s Word, I did not waver in unbelief, causing me to grow stronger in my faith. And this led me to give greater glory to God, which resulted in a fuller assurance. And therefore, I am even more confident in God’s plan for my life than ever, though it may be difficult at times.”
And this faith (vs 22) was counted to Abraham as righteousness.
“Now not for his sake only was it written that it was counted to him, but for our sake also, to whom it will be counted, as those who believe upon Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, He who was delivered over on account of our transgressions, and was raised on account of our justification.”
Romans 4:23-25 (LSB)
Let’s pray. Father, for what we know not, teach us. For what we have not spiritually, give to us. And for what we are not yet, make us. And all God’s people said, amen.