Lessons from Abraham

February 26, 2021 (Friday)

 

Abraham is the father of our faith. That can be said by about two-thirds of the world’s population. However, the Christian understanding different. Let’s listen to Paul as he explains this distinction.

 

Paul begins with a rhetorical question, “What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh?” [Romans 4:1 ESV] We already know the answer to this attention getting question. Or do we? When Paul talks about the flesh here, he is saying some means of self-effort or self-salvation.

 

In this idea of some self-effort that saves, Paul states, “For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God.” [Romans 4:2 ESV] This is a back-handed way of saying Abraham was nothing special. We hold these saints of old in awe. But, they were people just like us. Abraham had no cause for boasting.

 

Quoting the book of Genesis, Paul reminds us, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” [Romans 4:3b ESV] In Paul’s theology, justification and salvation are a gift of God. Work on the other hand creates an obligation. “Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due.” [Romans 4:4 ESV]

 

I cannot emphasize this enough or say it too often: believing is NOT an act of the flesh. Believing in no way obligates God. Believing cannot earn or deserve salvation in any way. Paul expressed it this way, “And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness.” [Romans 4:5 ESV] Is this a bad time to mention “free will?”

 

In verse 5, “faith” is a noun. It is something an individual possesses. This noun is equated to a verb in the previous clause: “believes.” Notice the complete and utter denial of the possibility of a human managing to justify themselves. Paull is clear. It is God who justifies the ungodly.

 

If Abraham was justified by faith, then why did he get circumcised? I am glad you asked! We tend to put faith and works on opposite ends and pit them against each other. Yet, the father of our faith was circumcised. There are two reasons for this action.

 

First, “He received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised.” [Romans 4:11a ESV] Here’s the rule. Actions always follow faith BECAUSE faith changes us. Faith changes our behavior, our thoughts, and our attitudes. If we are not changed then we do not have a living, breathing, saving faith.

 

Second, “The purpose was to make him the father of all who believe without being circumcised, so that righteousness would be counted to them as well.” [Romans 4:11b ESV] Abraham is an example. His justification came when he believed. Abraham is a template. As a pattern to follow, Abraham believed, in doing so he accepted (or received) God’s promise.

 

The promise of God is a gift. Later Paul will state, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” [Romans 6:23 ESV] It has to be a comfort for all the perfectionist that salvation does not depend on their flawlessness. It has to be an encouragement for all the depressed that this is a gift God WANTS to give. It has to be a motivation for those less inclined to effort to be loved by God without reason. It has to be a comfort for the driven to know God has already done everything.