Romans 4:1-3

What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” 

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Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:14

Hello, this is Dr. Bill Branks, author of Love the Word. Allow me to read today's text. Romans 4, verses 1-3. What then, shall we say, was gained by Abraham, our forefather, according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the scripture say? Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness. In Brooklyn, New York, the Mowbray Gym had long been a sanctuary for aspiring fighters. Every young man who thought he was tough enough trained day after day, hoping for a break when someone might see his potential. Most of these aspiring fighters never amounted to anything, but they stayed and idolized those who did. Mike, Brooklyn Brawler, Jensen was one of their idols. His faded picture, in a dust-covered frame, hung prominently above the ring. Newspaper clippings of his titles, KOs, and fights he won cover the locker room like wallpaper. Jensen was a legend, respected and revered by every boy who ever put on the gloves at the Mowbray gym. What made him a great fighter? Some speculated he followed a special regimen he practiced religiously. He was devoted to strange routines that looked very little like boxing. He kept an unsavory diet, strange sleep patterns, and kept special group of friends close, and no one else. He never shared the details, but many tried to mimic his rituals, yet no one seemed to match the success of the great, Brooklyn brawler. One day, a middle-aged man walked into the gym. He looked around and stared at Jensen's memorabilia with a big smile. The sounds and smells of the gym filled his head with memories. The gym manager stepped up and asked, Can I help you? Nah, he said, just looking around. The visitor pointed to a picture of the brawler, posing as if he were boxing with a young boy. That's me, Scotty Henderson. I'm the kid pretending to box with Mike. He used to give me a couple of bucks in the afternoon to get him towels, water, a sandwich, a paper, whatever he wanted. He was a good man. The manager called everyone over to meet Scotty, and Scotty was immediately bombarded with questions. Scotty did his best to answer them and told a few good stories. As the sun set on the gym, there was one final question, you think that weird regimen he practiced all those years got him his title? Scotty's answer was quick and certain. No, sir. His work was good, but there is only one thing that got him the reward he wanted. He believed. Comparing Abraham to a prize fighter may be a stretch, but he was greatly admired by the Jews for his obedience, see Genesis 26, verse 5. Their commitment to the law in pursuit of righteousness mirrored Abraham. They made Abraham their champion and assumed that his justification came from his righteous works. Paul explains and defends the doctrine of justification by faith alone, not by law-keeping or human righteousness. Over time, Abraham was held in very high esteem because he obeyed God and kept his charge, his commandments, statutes, and laws. If Abraham thought he had earned his salvation by works, he would have bragging rights among his descendants and admirers, but not before God. God knows our hearts. He sets the standards. From a divine righteousness standpoint, Abraham was no better than anyone else. He cannot stand on his good works. Perfect righteousness was needed to enter heaven. He did everything right, but his belief made the real difference. James 2, verse 23 says, and the scripture was fulfilled that says, Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness, and he was called a friend of God. True redeeming faith in God is transformative. All the hard work and discipline to do good are only good to a point and never bring us the victory that believing in Christ as our Savior does. This is the plain, simple truth given to us in Scripture. We are saved by faith alone in Christ alone. We must not lean on our goodness for God's favor. None of our heroes of the faith in Scripture were saved by good works, labor, obedience, suffering, or any human effort to please or appease God. We may believe we have much to offer or brag about, but it is meaningless before God. He requires the righteousness only available through Christ, and we receive it only through genuine, repentant faith.