Abraham and David Justified by Faith

IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Abraham and David Justified by Faith

Date: Aug. 2, 2019

Passage

Romans 4:1-8 (ESV)

1 What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” 4 Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. 5 And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, 6 just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works:

7   “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven,
    and whose sins are covered;
8   blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.”

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Daily Bread

Key Verse: 4:5

And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness,

1. Abraham's faith (1-5)

Abraham was the forefather of Israel. Was he justified before God by his faith or by his works? Paul quotes Genesis 15:6, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness." Abraham believed God's unrealistic promise that he would have a child and his offspring would be as numerous as the stars. God was pleased with Abraham's faith. Without faith, we can't please God (Heb 11:6). Abraham was not justified by his works but by his faith and trust in God's word.

2. David's faith (6-8)

David also testifies to this saving faith in Psalm 32 (take one minute to read it). David found the blessing of forgiveness of sin not by doing good works, but by acknowledging and confessing his sin (Ps 32:5). He too was justified and forgiven when he simply came to God in faith and trust.

Prayer: Prayer: Lord, I come to you as I am, a sinner, trusting in Jesus alone for forgiveness and new life. I thank and praise the living, forgiving God.

One Word: God justifies the one who trusts in Jesus

The Consequences of Deception

Genesis 27:30-46

Key Verse: 27:33

Then Isaac trembled very violently and said, “Who was it then that hunted game and brought it to me, and I ate it all before you came, and I have blessed him? Yes, and he shall be blessed.”

Today's Question

What does the eighth commandment forbid?

See answer and references