- Real people can be in real right standing with a real God.
- Faith - firm persuasion, belief
- Justification - Acquittal and Acceptance
- Righteousness - Right standing with God
- Principles of Righteousness
- Righteousness doesn’t come from good works
Romans 4:1-3 // What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, discovered in this matter? 2 If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God. 3 What does Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”
-
- Righteousness doesn’t come from the right circumstances
- Circumstance of Circumcision (v. 9-12)
- Circumstance of the Law (v. 13-17)
- Righteousness comes by faith in God
Romans 4:18-25 // Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”[d] 19 Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. 20 Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21 being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. 22 This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.” 23 The words “it was credited to him” were written not for him alone, 24 but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. 25 He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.
- God promised it. Abraham believed it. That settled it.
