Having established that justification is by faith, Paul now, in chapter 5, describes some of the many benefits we have. We have peace with God, and we have access to God. These and everything we have is through the Lord Jesus Christ.
Author Archives: Pastor Don Hosfeld
Romans 4:18-25 – Abraham Gave God What He Deserved: Faith
Our faith gives glory to God, and our disbelief calls Him a liar. Abraham gave God glory by believing, and “therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.”
Why Does II Thessalonians 1:8 Say Obey the Gospel Instead of Believe It?
“In 2 Thessalonians 1:8, why does it say ‘obey’ not the gospel instead of ‘believe’ not the gospel? I was always told simply to believe.”
Considering that a person’s eternal life hinges on it, nothing can be more important than having a biblical understanding of not only what the gospel is but also the situation in which it is being offered.
We often think of the gospel as purely an invitation, like when Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5:20, “…as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.” However, God is not merely asking mankind to believe; God has issued a warning of what will happen to all who refuse.
God has “commandeth all men every where to repent [change their mind]: Because He hath appointed a day, in the which He will judge the world in righteousness by that Man whom He hath ordained; whereof He hath given assurance unto all men, in that He hath raised Him from the dead” (Acts 17:30-31).
To consider the gospel simply an invitation would be like saying that God was merely asking Pharoah to let the people of Israel go. We are saved by faith in the gospel, but that gospel is a command from God, and those who refuse to believe will be judged according to their works.
Romans 4:13-17 – No Substitution for Faith
The apostle Paul teaches that neither the law nor circumcision are necessary for the righteousness of God today.
Romans 4:5-12
Paul describes how King David was justified by faith and that God’s blessing came to Abraham before he was circumcised.
Romans 4:1-5 – Abraham Justified by Faith
The 4th chapter of Romans has Paul continue his teaching that salvation is by faith only and is for those that believe God. To prove this does not violate God’s practice or principles, Paul uses 2 of Israel’s greatest forefathers Abraham and David.
Romans 3:27-31
Paul asks a rhetorical question but one that succinctly concludes what he has been saying since chapter 1. That man can only be saved by God’s righteousness, and therefore, “where is boasting” (in ourselves.
Romans 3:24-26
Paul has made a legal case showing all are guilty before God and will now make a legal case for how God can be both just & the justifier.
Romans 3:21-22
God is righteous and had revealed that through the Mosaic Law, “but now” the Apostle Paul explains that “the righteousness of God without the law” has now been revealed. This study also explains that our faith IN CHRIST only matters because of the FAITH OF JESUS CHRIST (vs. 22).
Romans 3:1-8
Romans 2:24-29
Paul conclude the chapter by continuing to show the Jew is guilty before God and the law can not save him