The BIG Picture (Shorts)

⏱️ 2-Minute Read | Part 4 of 16 The Gospel of Grace: A Walk Through Romans Section 2: Justification by Faith (Romans 4) Justification Without Works Scripture Focus: "For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness." (Rom.4:3) Today's Lesson Romans 4 establishes the absolute distinction between working for wages and receiving a free gift through faith. The Apostle Paul uses the historical example of Abraham to dismantle any notion of human merit in justification. In ancient business practice, a worker earns a wage as a matter of debt owed by the employer. Yet God operates entirely outside this system when justifying the ungodly. To him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. This is not a reward for moral effort or religious observance, but a legal reckoning where God credits absolute righteousness to an undeserving believer. David similarly describes this...

The difference is clear to see in these verses: POSITIONAL:  God’s righteousness imputed to us through faith in Christ and received the instant we are saved. Rom_3:22  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: Rom_4:5  But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Rom_8:10  And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. See also: Rom_5:17-18; Rom_5:21; Rom_8:10. PRACTICAL:  Righteousness produced out of us by obedience to the Word (See Rom_8:13). Rom_6:13  ...but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. Rom_8:4  That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. See also: Rom_6:16; Rom_6:18...