From Boasting to Blessing

From Boasting to Blessing | Romans 4:1-8 | Ian Goodman
The journey Paul takes us on in these words is from boasting to blessing—from trusting in works to trusting in grace by faith.

In order to take us on this journey, Paul reminds us of two individuals from the OT:
– both of whom were Jews—to teach us that heritage is no basis for justification;
– both of whom were relatively righteous—to teach us that righteousness is no basis for justification;
– both of whom come from the OT—to teach us that God’s means of justification has always been the same—grace by faith;
– and both of whom responded to God’s grace by working hard—to serve and please Him!

We looked together at the example of Abraham. We were reminded that Abraham was justified not by his works, but by believing God and having righteousness counted to him. Paul then goes on to explain what it means to have righteousness counted to him. It’s like being given a gift rather than a wage. Like having money credited to your account, but money can be credited for two reasons, either as a wage for work done, or a gift given by free grace. God is not in the business of giving wages for work. When it comes to justification God doesn’t want to pay us wages for work. He wants to give us a gift for believing. It is not the godly who are working for God who God justifies. It is the ungodly who are believing who God justifies.

Are you working for God’s justification? Are you trusting your own godliness for God’s justification? This is a ground for boasting, not the ground for blessing. Abandon that ground and trust in God for the blessing of justification!