Romans 4:1-25
In verse 3 Paul asks: "What does the Old Testament Law says? Whenever
the word "scripture" appears in any of Paul's letters, he is referring
to the first 5 books of Moses. Paul's letters are not scriptures, nor
are they a new covenant of laws, rules and regulations of works that
requires animal sacrifices. Again, what was it that Abraham believed
that God could do and would do? Abraham believed that God had promised
to justify both Jews and Gentiles apart from any of the works of the
law.
God did not reward Abraham, nor blessed Abraham for any of his works.
God imputed righteousness and counted Abraham as being righteous apart
from any of his works. God did this for Abraham before the law giver
Moses came into the picture. For it was not God who wanted to give the
law. It was the people who Moses led through the wilderness who asked
for a law, and when God went along with their requests they began to
complain that the laws of God were too hard to keep. Righteousness never
comes through the law but through the promise.
Take away the verse numbers of Romans chapter 4 and as you read the
entire chapter you will see that it all comes together as one thought.
The thought being "the reward not recognized as being something
that God owed Abraham for his works, otherwise salvation would not be
by grace." In verse 5 Abraham had believed that God had justified
the 'ungodly,' and because Abraham believed that God had done such a
thing, Abraham's faith was counted for righteousness. In other words:
"Hey Abraham, (not talking about the 16th President of the United States)
buddy, my covenant friend, you hit the nail on the head by believing
that I (God) did justify the ungodly as much as I have justified the
godly, and I am glad that you have come to realized that I did it apart
from, and not expecting any of their perfect works." Friends, today
the opposite continues to be preached. Today we continue to seek promises
and a promise that has already been fulfilled in Christ. We have the
Evangelical's telling us that we must believe, do good if we ever expect
God to impute His righteousness upon us.
How sad. Paul then goes on beyond Abraham and brings 'David' the psalmist
in to the pictures and quotes what 'David' said that God had said: "Blessed
is the man whom God imputeth righteousness WITHOUT works". Now,
if this is not a clear, cut and dry case of the love, mercy, goodness
and grace of God, I don't know what is. Now, if you want something more
to get all excited about, and you really want to see God's grace at
its best, then read what Paul quotes 'David' as having said: "Blessed
are they who's iniquities are forgiven, and who's sins are covered".
Did it say that their iniquities are yet to be forgiven or did it
say that they are forgiven? Friends, if your sins have been forgiven,
then why are you confessing your sins? If God has counted you as being
righteous in Christ, apart from any of your religious self-righteous
performance, then why are you trying to earn it through works and through
the keeping of the law of Moses? If the Lord is no longer imputing sin
against you, then why are you still thinking and believing that He is
going to send the world to hell for sin?
About the best way to advertise this wonderful grace and unconditional
love of God, is simply to make a car bumper sticker or wear a T-shirt
with verses 6 through 8 of Romans chapter 4. Now, notice what Paul asks
many of the self-righteous, holier than thou Jews back in his days,
and why we too should put as a question to the Evangelical legalistic
Church of today: "Tell me something Mr. Hagin, Dollar, Hinn, Kennedy,
Falwell, Robertson, Crouch, Parsley, Swindoll, Hanegraff, and all of
you flight by night, sleep by day so called experts of God's word, does
this blessedness belong to you only, or is it for the entire world?"
To be continued....
Grace N Peace
Eddie Narvaez