Devotional Romans 4: Abraham and Justification by Faith Reflections on Romans 4: how Paul demonstrates that Abraham was justified by faith before the Law and what this means for our salvation. Topics: Devotional, New Testament.

Devotional Romans 4: Abraham and Justification by Faith

Today’s devotional is found in the book of Romans, chapter 4, and this is what happened.

Synopsis: In this chapter, Paul answers one of the objections of the Romans who do not understand why we are justified by faith and not by the law. Paul uses the example of Abraham to demonstrate with arguments and evidence how Abraham was justified by faith, and how we, as his offspring, are as well.

Observations

1. Abraham was justified by faith. This is an observation that can be better perceived thanks to Paul and his excellent ability to defend the faith with solid evidence and arguments. Previously, when I did not study The Word daily, I used to think that justification by faith began after the crucifixion of Jesus. I believe most new Christians (or even Christians with a degree of maturity) do not know exactly when justification by faith began. I believed that in the Old Testament God only justified through the law. But Paul helped me understand better and pay closer attention to the fine details of the Old Testament when he used Abraham as an example. After reflecting further and reading a few verses in Genesis about Abraham’s story, I realized that Paul is completely right. When God made the first promise to Abraham, he was still living in Haran with his parents and relatives. Yet God gave him a mission and promised him many blessings, not only for himself, but also for his descendants and all the nations of the world (Genesis 12:1–3). Abraham did not refuse to accept and do God’s will. He believed God, placed his faith in Him, and simply gathered his belongings and everyone with him to go to an unknown land as God commanded (Genesis 12:4–5). All of this happened long before the law and the covenant established through circumcision. Circumcision was one of the first laws God established with Abraham, all his descendants, and those living among them (Genesis 17:10–11).
2. We are justified by faith. This is a belief that we as Christians know and understand better through the New Testament. It is through Paul’s epistles (specifically, Romans and Galatians) where we formally learn the doctrine of justification by faith (Romans 3:28, 4:3, 5:1, and Galatians 2:16, 3:24). However, once again, thanks to Paul and his God-given wisdom, he demonstrates to us that it all began with Abraham. God promised Abraham that He would bless those who bless him and curse those who curse him, and that all the nations of the earth would be blessed through Abraham (Genesis 12:3). All this took place before the covenant of circumcision, which was one of the laws God gave to Abraham, his descendants, and all males living with them (Genesis 17:11–14). In other words, God never intended—even in the Old Testament—for us to be justified by the law. Doing so would give us reason to boast in our own abilities and reject God more easily (Romans 3:27 and 4:2). Furthermore, faith would have no value if salvation were obtained through the Law (Romans 4:14). But God wants us to be humble and to receive our salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, and consequently, in God. Only in this way are all nations included in the covenant God made with Abraham (Romans 4:16–17). This truth also answers those who ask if someone can be saved simply by keeping the Law without believing in Jesus or God. The answer is no, because God never breaks His promises, and He promised Abraham that through his faith all nations would be blessed. He does not want anyone to think they can obtain salvation through their own merit, as this would feed human pride and boasting. Moreover, it would invalidate the necessity of Jesus Christ’s sacrifice. Therefore, we must always remember that we receive salvation by grace as a gift from God, through our faith in Jesus Christ (and, consequently, in Him).