Lesson 2810

(Lesson 2810)(09-03-19) Romans 4:9-25
    “Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision (Jews) only, or upon the uncircumcision (Gentiles) also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness. How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, (when he was a Jew) or in uncircumcision (as a Gentile)? Not in circumcision (as a Jew), but in uncircumcision (as a Gentile). And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised (a Gentile): that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised (Gentiles); that righteousness might be imputed unto them also: And the father of circumcision (the Jews) to them who are not of the circumcision (Gentiles) only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised (Gentile). For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. For if they which are of the law (the Jews) be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect: Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression. Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law (the Jews), but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all, (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb: He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.”

   In today’s quote, Paul made it clear that salvation by grace, through faith, the ONLY way anyone could ever be saved, was not specific to the Jews. He related that salvation has always been available to the Gentiles through the same means, that is by grace through faith. Salvation DOES NOT now, nor has it EVER been attainable through the laws or commandments that were given to the Jews.
    In the last part of the quote Paul explains that the righteousness that is required for salvation is that righteousness that is imputed into those who believe in our Lord Jesus Christ. Speaking of Abraham, Paul said; “Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; But for us also, to whom It SHALL BE IMPUTED, IF WE BELIEVE ON HIM THAT RAISED UP JESUS OUR LORD FROM THE DEAD; Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.”~