Lesson 4723

 (Lesson 4723) (01-09-25) Romans 4:14-22 

   “For if they which are of the law 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, 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.” 

 

 In today’s quote, Paul explained that if righteousness came through the law, then faith would be meaningless, and the promise to Abraham would have had no value. However, because the promise was given by faith, it is certain for all of Abraham's descendants, both Jews and Gentiles. Paul stressed that Abraham's faith was not weakened by the fact that he and Sarah were old and childless; instead, he believed God's promise that he would become the father of many nations. Despite the seeming odds against him, Abraham did not waver in his faith, but grew stronger, fully convinced that God could, and would, do what He promised. Because of his unwavering faith, God credited righteousness to him. Paul emphasized that this same righteousness is credited to all who believe in Jesus Christ, who was raised from the dead for our justification. ~ 

Lesson 4722

 (Lesson 4722) (01-08-25) Romans 4:9-13 

   “Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin. Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness. How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision. And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also: And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised. 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.” 

 

   In today’s quote, Paul explained that the blessing of forgiveness and righteousness is not limited to those who are circumcised (Jews) but is also available to the uncircumcised (non-Jews). He pointed out that Abraham, the father of the Jewish nation, was justified by faith before he became a Jew, showing that faith, not Jewishness, was the key to righteousness. Paul emphasized that Abraham's faith was credited to him as righteousness, and this righteousness was available to all, both Jews and Gentiles. Circumcision, which was a sign of the covenant for the Jews, did not contribute to Abraham’s justification; rather, it was a seal of the faith he had before being circumcised. Thus, righteousness comes through faith, not through external rituals, and is available to everyone who believes in Jesus, regardless of their heritage. ~ 

Lesson 4721

 (Lesson 4721) (01-07-25) Romans 4:4-8 

   “Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.” 

 

   In today’s very important quote, Paul explained that if someone works at a job, their wages are not a gift but something they have earned. However, the righteousness that is required for entry into heaven is not earned by works but is credited to those who believe in God the Father, who justifies the ungodly through faith in Christ Jesus, His only begotten Son. Paul referenced David, who spoke of the blessing of those whose sins are forgiven and whose iniquities are covered. David acknowledged that blessed is the person to whom God does not impute sin. Paul emphasized that this righteousness is granted to those who have faith, not because of their works, but because of God's grace toward those who believe. The point therein being that works of the law, or “good” works, cannot and will not suffice as the righteousness required for entry into heaven. ~ 

Lesson 4720

 (Lesson 4720) (01-06-25) 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.” 

 

   In today’s quote, Paul pointed to Abraham as an example to show that righteousness cannot be earned through works but is credited to a person through faith. He emphasized that Abraham was justified by faith, not by works, as it is written, "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness" (Genesis 15:6). Paul made it clear that the righteousness required for admittance into heaven can only be acquired through faith in Jesus Christ—His life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension. While "good" works are honorable and pleasing to God, they have no part in securing eternal salvation. Salvation is a gift from God, given through faith, not by works, as affirmed in passages like Ephesians 2:8-9, which states, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast." ~ 

Lesson 4719

 (Lesson 4719) (01-04-25) Romans 3:27-31 

   “Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also: Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith. Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.” 

 

   In today’s quote, Paul explained that boasting about one’s good works is excluded because justification is not based on works of the law, but rather, justification is an reward for faith. Paul emphasized that a person is justified by faith alone, not by observation of Jewish law, making it clear that God justifies both Jews and Gentiles in the same way. Paul argued that faith does not nullify the law but upholds it, as true faith fulfills the righteous requirements of the law. He concluded by affirming that God is the God of both Jews and Gentiles, and that faith in Jesus Christ is the ONLY means by which sinful acts are justified, regardless of one’s heritage. ~ 

Lesson 4718

 (Lesson 4718 (01-04-25) Romans 3:21-26 

   “But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.” 

 

   In today’s quote, Paul explained that righteousness from God, apart from the law, only comes through faith in Jesus Christ. This righteousness is available to all who believe, regardless of their background be they Jew or Gentile, because ALL have sinned and ALL fall short of God's glory. Paul emphasized that people are justified freely by God's grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. God presented Jesus as a propitiation (a sacrifice that satisfies God's justice) through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness. This was necessary to show that God is both just and the justifier of those who have faith in Jesus. Paul affirmed that no one should brag about their own good works, as salvation is entirely a result of God's grace and the work of Jesus Christ. ~