Romans 4:1-5 - Faith and Righteousness

Romans 4:1-5

What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh has found? For if Abraham was justified by works he has something to boast about; but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? "And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness." Now to the one who works, his wage is not reckoned as a favor, but as what is due. But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned as righteousness. 

Message: Faith and Righteousness

Time: The Apostle Paul wrote to the Romans from the Greek city of Corinth in AD 57, just three years after the 16 year old Nero had ascended to the throne as Emperor of Rome. Persecution of Christians wouldn't begin until AD 64. The church was experiencing times of relative peace. From where he wrote, Corinth, was a hotbed of sexual immorality and idol worship.

What the Lord is Saying: 

I am not yet halfway through this month of studies on justification - how man is reconciled to God, accepted by God. Thus far in these studies I have seen that all people are sinners and their sin results in all people being guilty. And keeping laws only works if completely obedient to all otherwise the Law reminds us we are guilty. Jesus was always obedient. God gave us Jesus as a sacrifice for sin. We access this through faith. 

But, let's break this down even further. Because of sin, man has violated God's order and ways. Thus, we are lawbreakers. Lawbreakers incur a debt that must be paid. In life, serious lawbreakers incur the sentence of life imprisonment. Often there is a hope that an inward transformation will occur in a person that might result in being paroled or relieved of serving the entire sentence. This is available to some but those that committed more serious crimes, even this is not available. 

Deuteronomy 25:1 reminds us what occurs in a court of law: If there is a dispute between men andt hey go to court, and the judges decide their case, and they justify the righteous and condemn the wicked. And it says the guilty are beaten but the righteous are justified and can return to their life. 

This word for acquittal is the Greek word dikaioo used in Romans 4:5 - Him who justifies the ungodly. God acquits are pronounces "not guilty" those who are lawbreakers. But God is not changing a person, but simply declaring that person does not have a debt to Him. Like in our court system, people incur a debt to the court or the ruling body, mankind incurs a debt to God for breaking the commandments. Yet God will justify some. 

The basis of righteousness is Jesus. Again Romans 5:19 says - through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous. Man acquires this by calling on God and having faith - 'God, be merciful to me, the sinner.' 

But let's be clear - faith does not make us righteous. We are counted as righteous by faith. Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness as recorded in Genesis 15:6. Righteousness though is what makes our debt paid before God.  

Promise: Faith is what God uses in us to build the bridge to being accepted by God and restored to a right relationship with Him, but ultimately it is Jesus and His obedience that results in us being seen as continually righteous. 

Prayer: O God, you have made me righteous through the obedience of Jesus my Savior and Lord. You knew that my crime could only result in His obedience. Thank you for bringing me to this saving faith. You sunk it into me on August 10, 1982 and I'm still trying to understand it. Thank you for sealing me forever. Keep instructing people in this truth. Thank you for this study and Ligonier ministry. 

Note: I follow the readings from the Tabletalk Magazine devotional, though I am a little behind and working through 2017 devotionals. 2017 is a study of key biblical doctrines celebrating the 500th year of the Reformation. The month of June is about justification; May was about solus Christus - Christ Alone; April, salvation by grace alone; March, the sovereign providence of God; February, the doctrine of revelation and the various aspects of the doctrine of Scripture that sola Scriptura seeks to preserve; January, the doctrine of God.

Mankind's Condition - The Sins of the Gentiles - Though born with God being evident, Gentiles do not honor God or give thanks, look to their selves for truth, and God gives them over to their sin, and in the process God's wrath is sin which will culminate on the Day of the Lord. The Sins of the Jews - Jews thought their status meant only Gentiles were true sinners. Romans 2 and 3 explains that Jews are just as guilty before God. 

The Law Speaks - The Law and Accountability - the Law reminds us we are sinners and doing good will not outweigh this bad; I am condemned. Righteousness According to the Law - The Law can make one righteous if obedient to all. Our sin keeps us from this. Human Inability - the simple reminder that man cannot make himself righteous because he is a sinner. 

Only Justified through Christ (God) - The Obedience of One - with Jesus all obedience was completed in Him which resulted in Him taking on all sin; we trust only in His words, not ours. God's Initiative In Justification - God initiates the act of justification through the work of Christ alone; he saves us out of His kindness. Faith and Justification - no one is continually righteous; only through Jesus one will be made righteous; to be made righteous one must believe in God, ask for His mercy. 

 

Habakkuk 2:4 - Faith and Justification

Habakkuk 2:4 

Behold, as for the proud one, his soul is not right within him; but the righteous will live by his faith. 

Message: Faith and Justification

Time: Habakkuk is mentioned 2 times and we know little of him (could be a professionally trained prophet in Law of Moses and/or a priest involved in worship). He mentions the imminent Babylonian invasion which probably puts the time period as 609 - 598 BC, in Jehoiakim's reign. Chapters 1 and 2 is an extended dialogue between Habakkuk and God. Habakkuk was frustrated, but he took out his frustrating in prayers. 

What the Lord is Saying: 

I continue to march through these devotional messages about justification. I'm in the 6th month of this 12 month study of key doctrines related to the 2017 500th year celebration of the reformation. The subject matter has been meaty and intense. I'm 2 years into it, having started December 18, 2018. It is slow going. 

Justification. Previously there was an entire month about salvation by grace alone and to me this message of justification is a close partner. As recorded in the introduction, justification is the key idea of religion, the crux of the message. It is not the only message but it speaks to how we can be reconciled to our Creator. 

I'm 53 now. I've been in church all my life. I had a turning point in August 1982, a month shy of my 15th birthday when at that moment, I prayed to receive Jesus as my savior. I turned a corner that day and since then I've been on a journey to understand this salvation, as well as live it. Part of what I am doing in these studies is reading the conclusions that are voiced in these devotions and then as I study seeing if I walk away with the same conclusion. 

The message of justification here now is that I am justified or found to be acceptable by God which then results in fellowship with Him, eternal life with Him, peace with Him and peace in life, and it all begins with answering the question of -- what must I do to be in a right relationship with God? 

Ecclesiastes 7:20 - Indeed, there is not a righteous man on earth who continually does good and who never sins.

No one is good continually or all of the time or always. Everyone has sin. 

Genesis 8:21 - ...for the intent of man's heart is evil from his youth;

This is a strong statement by the Lord given after He has flood the earth. Yet, he gave a similar statement prior to the flood in Genesis 6:5 -- every intent of the thoughts of his (man's) heart was only evil continually. 

No one is good continually. And also the intent of man's heart is evil from his youth. It sounds like that man has a bent towards evil and this bent has been prominent since his youth. 

Romans 3:9-11 - ...both Jews and Greeks are all under sin; There is none righteous, not even one; there is none who understands, there is none who seeks for God. 

None of us has keep God's law. Paul seems to be making this point in Romans 3 toward the Jew who may have thought that as a Jew and being God's chosen people, that they have a special relationship with God. That might be so but in the manner of being righteous, the Jew is not, just like the Gentile. There is none righteous. Again, the intent of man's heart is evil. And there is not a righteous man on earth who continually does good. Thus, if one believes that it is righteousness that makes us right before God and on one is righteous continually, then if the standard is continuous righteousness then none of will be worthy. Thus, righteousness must come outside of ourselves. 

One of the questions that springs up in me is this -- is perfect obedience the standard? I think the crux of this is that 'on my own, I cannot attain righteousness.' Can someone be righteous and yet not continually righteous? The following verse speaks to Christ and His obedience making us righteous. 

Romans 5:19 - For as through one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous.

So this verse answers the question that partial righteousness is not a goal. For it is only through Jesus One will be made righteous.

Now, it could be that all of the above discussion is focused on grace - that righteousness occurs only through Jesus. Yet, this month we are focused on how does one obtain this righteousness. Is it open to everyone simply because Jesus died? Or does man become a benefactor of Christ's work through a means? 

It seems what a person must do is call on God - believe God - put their trust and faith in God. 

Luke 18:9-14

And He also told this parable to certain ones who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt; "Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee, and the other a tax-gatherer. The Pharisee stood and was praying thus to himself, 'God, I thank Thee that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax-gatherer. I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.' But the tax-gatherer, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, "God, be merciful to me, the sinner.' I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself shall be humbled, but he who humbles himself shall be exalted."

There is a contrast here: the Pharisee is thanking his own work. He is proud of himself. He is proud that he is unlike others because of what he is and that he behaves differently from others. The Pharisee is religious and practices his religion. And this is the point of the parable for the Pharisee trusted in themselves that they were righteous and others were therefore not. But the contrast is that the tax-gatherer looked only to God. 'Lord have mercy.' This man had humility. 

Romans 4:2-3 - For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about; but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? "And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness. 

Abraham believed God. Abraham had faith in God. Abraham focused on God.   

Habakkuk lived in the late 7th century BC. He was bothered that God seemed to be silent and inactive. The people of Judah were guilty of sin, so he wondered why God was not judging them. 

Habakkuk 1:2-4 - How long, O Lord, will I call for help, and Thou wilt not hear?...Why dost Thou make me see iniquity...the law is ignored and justice is never upheld. The wicked surround the righteous.

God replies to Habakkuk in 1:5-11 that He will send the Chaldeans/Babylonians to judge the people - Look! Observe! I am doing something - I am raising up the Chaldeans...rulers are a laughing matter to them; they will sweep through the wind and pass on, but they will be held guilty. 

Habakkuk was surprised in verse 12 - thou, O Lord, hast appointed them to judge. For they approve evil. And Habakkuk ultimately declares in 2:1 that he will keep watch to see what God will speak to him and how he may reply. 

In verse 4, God says -- Behold, as for the proud one, his soul is not right within him; but the righteous will live by his faith. God replies that proud people are not right within themselves, but it is only the righteous who will live by his faith. And then Habakkuk ends his book by saying in 3:19, The Lord God is my strength, and He has made my feet like hinds' feet, and makes me walk on my high places. 

God is the one. God does it. And I access this through acknowledging this continually in my life - believing in God, asking for His Mercy, declaring the Lord is my strength, trusting in Him. 

Promise: At the most basic level, what I need is God. I believe in Him. I call out for His mercy for I am a sinner. He is my strength. I obviously do not depend on me because in me is evil intentions. Only Jesus makes me righteous.  

Prayer: O Lord, thank you for these truths and taking me through these texts to better understand me and better understand You. I put my trust in You God. I believe in You. Have Mercy on Me God, a sinner. You are my strength. It is You and only You that I need. Keep my eyes on you. Holy Spirit, thank you for speaking to me and illuminating me with your words of truth. I don't want to get distracted from this simple message. I pray that I remain focused on you God as the author of truth. I live in this world but I don't want to live by its distracting message, but I want instead to trust in You God only, always. Keep my eyes more focused on you than the events of my world. Thank you for knowing that I need a substitute and that Jesus and His obedience has made me righteous. I cry out to you God in faith. Like Habakkuk I will continue to wait patiently for Your words to speak to me.     

Note: I follow the readings from the Tabletalk Magazine devotional, though I am a little behind and working through 2017 devotionals. 2017 is a study of key biblical doctrines celebrating the 500th year of the Reformation. The month of June is about justification; May was about solus Christus - Christ Alone; April, salvation by grace alone; March, the sovereign providence of God; February, the doctrine of revelation and the various aspects of the doctrine of Scripture that sola Scriptura seeks to preserve; January, the doctrine of God.

- The Sins of the Gentiles - Though born with God being evident, Gentiles do not honor God or give thanks, look to their selves for truth, and God gives them over to their sin, and in the process God's wrath is sin which will culminate on the Day of the Lord. The Sins of the Jews - Jews thought their status meant only Gentiles were true sinners. Romans 2 and 3 explains that Jews are just as guilty before God. The Law and Accountability - the Law reminds us we are sinners and doing good will not outweigh this bad; I am condemned. Righteousness According to the Law - The Law can make one righteous if obedient to all. Our sin keeps us from this. Human Inability - the simple reminder that man cannot make himself righteous because he is a sinner. The Obedience of One - with Jesus all obedience was completed in Him which resulted in Him taking on all sin; we trust only in His words, not ours. God's Initiative In Justification - God initiates the act of justification through the work of Christ alone; he saves us out of His kindness. 

Titus 3:4-6 - God's Initiative in Justification

Titus 3:4-6

But when the kindness of God our Savior and His Love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior. 

Message: God's Initiative in Justification

Time: Paul wrote his letter to Titus from Nicopolis in AD 63, after the apostle’s release from his first Roman imprisonment. Paul identified himself as the author of the letter to Titus. Titus accompanied Paul on his third missionary journey. Paul accompanied Titus to the island of Crete, where he intended Titus to lead and organize the island’s churches in their early years of existence. 

What the Lord is Saying:

There are different ways that Scripture talk of salvation. In Romans 10:1, Paul writes, "Brethren, my heart's desire and my prayer to God for them is for salvation." This is his appeal to Israel to be redeemed by Christ and enjoy all that salvation offers in Christ -- justification, adoption, sanctification, and glorification. In other ways, like I Corinthians 1:18, Paul speaks to the ongoing purification that occurs in the believer, "For the word of God  is to those who are perishing foolishness, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." Titus 3:4-6 explains how we are declared righteous, "when the kindness of God....appeared, He saved us not on the basis of deeds...but according to His mercy..."

The chief need of everyone is to be saved. Everyone is perishing. Everyone needs the power of God displayed in his kindness to save us. Salvation is not by our deeds, but according to His mercy. 

Paul also in these verses refers to "the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit."  Some have argued that this speaks of the act of baptism ("washing") in order to erase the original sin born onto man or baby. And some say that this is another example of baptism being a part of the conversion process of a believer. Yet, Paul mentions in places like Romans 4:5 faith is the instrument of righteousness - "...not work, but believes in Him ...his faith is reckoned as righteousness." Galatians 2:15-16 repeats this, "even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we may be justified by faith in Christ."  Thus the idea I think is that anything beyond faith could be construed as a work although some may argue that acts of obedience follow faith and baptism is one of those acts of obedience that should follow faith in every believer. 

So what did Paul mean when he wrote these words -- "the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit?" To wash is to remove dirt. The only other use of this word washing is found in Ephesians 5:26, "that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word." This verse provides a parallel act of husbands loving wives just as Christ loved the Church (Eph 5:25) that loving and Christ giving Himself up for the church marks an act of cleansing her by the washing of water with the word. This seems to not be a literal washing but rather Christ's act of giving Himself for the church is so that the church is covered, as in a washing, with the Word of God. So does this help us with Titus 3:5? 

Perhaps Paul is communicating that the washing occurs by way of God regenerating and renewing the follower of Christ through the Holy Spirit. So in both instances it could simply be talking about washing being a symbol or emblem to provide the picture of how the power of the Holy Spirit converges upon us by way of God's mercy -- the Holy Spirit washes us or bathes us or renews us. We are renewed in a bath. From this standpoint, it does not seem like a literal baptism is being spoken. But, I went to the commentaries and saw that Charles Ellicott (19th c Church of England) states that God has put us in the state of salvation by the laver of regeneration which is the baptism ordinance or sacrament. Then Albert Barnes (19th c Presbyterian Church) states it is not the laver but rather a symbol or emblem of regeneration. And the other commentaries have the differing views. 

Thus, where are we at the end of the day? I believe the text can have only one meaning, and yet we do not have Paul here with us and so we sit as detectives trying to figure out what it is that it says. Because of the differing views, my conclusion is we can't know and so this issue is non-essential to our salvation and can result in debate. And yet, if I had to choose an interpretation, I would say washing is a symbol or emblem of regeneration rather than speaking of the act of baptism as an ordinance for salvation. 

Promise: What I know is that Jesus has saved us by His mercy and not by our deeds and we must have faith.

Prayer: Lord, it is fun to take time to look at your word, examine it and study it to see what it says. Lord, in this passage I understand that faith is clear and I thank you for giving me that faith in You and confirming yourself to me over and over. I am not righteous and yet you have made me righteous by the life and work of Christ Jesus and me believing in Him. I thank you that I have been baptized and you showed me the importance of this. God, there are places in your Word that I must admit I have questions and I do not have an overwhelming conclusion of what is meant. Help me Holy Spirit to walk in truth and reveal to me what is the right way, but keep me strong in You and studying and focusing on those things that matter most. Help me God to speak to others about your truth and respect people that may have a different conviction. You speak to me and use me and for that I will never understand but thank you for this. 

Note: I follow the readings from the Tabletalk Magazine devotional, though I am a little behind and working through 2017 devotionals. 2017 is a study of key biblical doctrines celebrating the 500th year of the Reformation. The month of June is about justification; May was about solus Christus - Christ Alone; April, salvation by grace alone; March, the sovereign providence of God; February, the doctrine of revelation and the various aspects of the doctrine of Scripture that sola Scriptura seeks to preserve; January, the doctrine of God.

 - The Sins of the Gentiles - Though born with God being evident, Gentiles do not honor God or give thanks, look to their selves for truth, and God gives them over to their sin, and in the process God's wrath is sin which will culminate on the Day of the Lord. The Sins of the Jews - Jews thought their status meant only Gentiles were true sinners. Romans 2 and 3 explains that Jews are just as guilty before God. The Law and Accountability - the Law reminds us we are sinners and doing good will not outweigh this bad; I am condemned. Righteousness According to the Law - The Law can make one righteous if obedient to all. Our sin keeps us from this. Human Inability - the simple reminder that man cannot make himself righteous because he is a sinner. The Obedience of One - with Jesus all obedience was completed in Him which resulted in Him taking on all sin; we trust only in His words, not ours.