Lesson 1984

(Lesson 1984)(04-08-17) Romans 4:1-3

"What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness."

It is imperative that we follow these next few lessons very closely and make sure we fully understand what is being said therein.

In today's quote, Paul makes reference to the actions of Abraham as he freely offered Isaac, his son, up as a sacrifice simply because he thought he had been instructed by God to do so. The reference is also to why God saw Abraham's faith, so as to take those actions, as important enough to make Abraham an example of righteousness for all time and to cause God to covenant with him as the father of His chosen people.

As Paul makes vividly clear in today's and these next few lessons, it was not Abraham's physical act of offering Isaac up as a sacrifice, within itself, that made him righteous in the eyes of God, it was Abraham's faith that made his actions righteous.

Abraham knew, by faith, that God's decision was the right one, no matter what He asked or the cost. Abraham knew beyond all doubt that God would somehow make it up to him.

Therefore, it is established, just as Paul said, the righteousness of God comes, NOT through the physical things that we do here on earth, be those actions "good" or "bad". But rather, Godly righteousness of a sort worthy of eternal salvation, comes by faith in that same promise God made to Abraham. That is an absolute faith in the life, death, burial, resurrection and ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ to the point of abandoning all else.~