Way of Righteousness
Rom 4:1 What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?
Rom 4:2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.
Rom 4:3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
Heb 11:8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
Heb 11:9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:
Heb 11:10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
Heb 11:11 Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.
Heb 11:12 Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.
Heb 11:13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
Abraham received righteousness by faith, seeing the promises afar off. Sure he sinned and missed obeying the law at times, yet his FAITH was counted for righteousness.
How much clearer we see the promises of our Lord Jesus Christ, yes at times we sin, but if we confess them and they are removed. By faith we receive an incorruptible inheritance with the Lord Jesus Christ.
Rom 4:4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
Rom 4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
Rom 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
Father God, we know who is the way, the truth and the life. It is your son The Lord Jesus Christ. Our faith is in Jesus and the revealed word of God. Jesus is our righteousness, we abide in him and he in us. We are children of God by faith and by the power of the Holy Spirit. Our faith grows as we learn your word in the Bible. We turn from sin and are kept by faith in you and your son who has brought us out of the darkness into the Kingdom of light. Thank you eternal Father, amen.
Rom 4:6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,
Without works, but by faith we are justified. David commited adultery and had the husband sent to the war to remove him, yet he confessed and asked God for mercy.
What can we learn from Davids ways to help us overcome sin and be restored? Read his words in Psalm 51
Rom 4:7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.
Rom 4:8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.
Steps to restoration:
1. a broken and contrite spirit
2. ask for mercy
3. confess sins
4. live in truth
5. wash away my sins
6. clean my heart
7. Holy Spirit come and stay
8. restore my joy
9. I will praise you
Father in heaven we receive forgiveness as did David by coming to you with a broken and contrite heart asking for mercy. Your mercy and grace come to us through your son Jesus Christ. He takes our sins away. If David could be forgiven by faith, we certainly can be forgiven by faith in Jesus who was given as our sins atonement, His blood shed on the cross cleanses us from all sins. He has set us free from bondage and fear. I will praise you, my joy is complete, amen.
Rom 4:9 Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.
Rom 4:10 How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.
Gal 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
Rom 4:11 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:
God made special covenant promises to Abraham and also through Isaac and Jacob (Isreal). The covenant included:
A great nation, a special land, all nations would be blessed through the "seed" of Abraham, and circumcision a mark of the covenant promise.
Gal 3:7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.
Jesus is the seed that blesses every nation. Faith in Jesus makes us Spiritual children of Abraham. Our circumcision is of the heart, a clean heart forgiven of sins. Our New Covenant seal and promise is the Holy Spirit of God.
Rom 2:29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.
2 Cor 1:21 Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;
2 Cor 1:22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest (down payment) of the Spirit in our hearts.
Rom 4:12 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.
Gal 3:14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
Gal 5:6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.
Our Father thank you that we are blessed by the seed of Abraham, your son Jesus Christ. Son of Man (Mary) from Abrahams line, and Son of God from heaven. By faith we are as children of Abraham, children of the promises and most importantly children of the most high God, holy and supreme creator God, all wise all powerful, just and loving. We belong to you father, we love you because you loved us first, amen.
Promises by Faith
Rom 4:13 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.
Promises are received by believing in them. If we believe in them then we do what is required to receive them. Most promises require that we do something as well as to have faith in them. Even receiving a new life requires faith and confession of our hearts belief. True repentence, and learning and following Christ Jesus come after we are saved and Spirit filled. Faith comes first, not blind works, the other steps follow.
Rom 4:14 For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:
Rom 4:15 Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.
The law shows the righteous standard of God. To break a law makes us accountable to the law giver. We must pay or suffer the penalty. The penalty for sin is death and separation from God. Jesus came from God to keep all the laws and to die for our penalty in our place. By faith we receive sonship with God. This satisfies God's justice, and shows his tender loving care for us.
Rom 4:16 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,
Rom 4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
By faith we become children of Abraham, the promised King Jesus is our king, the eternal inheritance becomes ours.
Gal 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
Gal 3:29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Heavenly Father we have so many promises to receive, open our eyes to them so that we may walk in the fullness of life you have provided. We no longer shall be bound but free, no longer far away, but near to thee. Keep us always near to thee, it is your promise. You keep all your promises, amen.
Rom 4:17 (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.
Abraham was picked by God out of a pagan land to be the father of many nations . If he had refused the voice of God, Another would have been chosen.
Gen 12:2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:
Gen 12:3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
Gen 12:4 So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran.
But the people were stiff necked and rebellious, causing God to say, they will be destroyed; but Moses interceded for his people.
Exo 32:9 And the LORD said unto Moses, I have seen this people, and, behold, it is a stiffnecked people:
Exo 32:10 Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them: and I will make of thee a great nation.
Exo 32:11 And Moses besought the LORD his God, and said, LORD, why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people, which thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power, and with a mighty hand?
God did allow a generation to die, but their children came into the promise land. If Moses had been chosen to make a great nation, still he was a child of Abraham.
I see a generation in our country that is headed for destruction, but God is having mercy on their children. Some are seeking Him with all their hearts.
Rom 4:18 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.
Rom 4:19 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:
Rom 4:20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;
By faith yes, but not without failings. We also walk by faith, but sometimes fail. Abraham when being impatient for God's promise, decided with Sarah's consent to have a child by her handmaid.
Gen 16:2 And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the LORD hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai.
Wait! Why did he listen to his wife and not believe God? It seemed the right thing to do in their reasoning. We are not to make our own way, but listen and obey God. What if he takes too long? Wait anyway, and do not listen to your own ideas. How often I speak from weary flesh and cause problems. They had a problem with their decision, a son was born of the flesh, a great nation that would always oppose Isreal. The son Ishmael became the father of the Arab nations. The flesh shall always oppose the Spirit, we must not rush out in the flesh, unless the Spirit directs. Yet God was merciful and Abraham and Sarah had the promised son. Abrahams faith was honored by God, even though he faultered. This gives us hope too.
Rom 4:21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.
Rom 4:22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.
James 2:22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
James 2:23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
James 2:24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
Yes,works by faith, not works alone. Works alone produced Ishmael, works by faith brought Isaac, the son of the promise.
Lord help us as we want to walk by our own direction, this is flesh and will fail. Help us to patiently wait on you for your clear direction. This is the life of faith, walking in your revealed will, amen.
Rom 4:23 Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;
Rom 4:24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;
Rom 4:25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.
By faith the righteousness of God is credited to us. Faith, believing on God's promises, especially in his son who was delivered for our offences, and was raised from the dead for our justification. Just as if we had not sinned. God's righteous justice satisfied by the death of his perfect sinless son who has died in our place. Jesus took our guilt so that by faith in him, God the Father may declare us,not guilty. Rom 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: Rom 5:2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Couldn't be clearer. By faith comes peace with God. But, be sure your faith is on the Jesus of the Bible. Faith gives us access to God by his grace, unearned favor. We stand in His grace, not our works which gives us great joy in hope at his coming.
Will all rejoice at his coming? No, the wrath of God abides on the ungodly. It will be poured out by angels at the end times on those on earth who have not come by faith to Jesus for grace. Are you a Christian involving in immoral things? Perhaps you are not the Lord's. Grace is not cheap, it cost the Son of God suffering and death.
Rev 9:5 And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man.
Rev 9:6 And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them.
Lord God the end draws near. It is no time for games. We come to you with all our heart, or we are left behind in the time of tribulation. We enter into your family in glory, or we suffer eternity in hell separated. Jesus has given us a choice, by faith we are saved by grace, amen
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