Bible Study: Romans 4-5
OK Men,
I have often wondered how the Jews of the Old Testament received salvation before the coming of Jesus Christ. Sure, they offered sacrifices and had days of atonement, but certainly, some of them died before they could be cleansed of their sins. What happened to those people? What happened to those who sinned and died before they had a chance to follow the law and get right with God? Romans 4 seems to shed some light on this.
In Romans 4:3, Paul quotes Genesis 15:6 saying, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” He adds in 4:5 that, “faith is credited as righteousness.” This shows that the grace of God extends back to the very beginning. Grace and salvation didn’t just show up after the cross. Through faith, it’s been there all along.
But the human heart easily puts its faith in other things. Many put their faith in the law itself, instead of the one who gave the law. Paul writes that Abraham was not known as “the father of many nations” because of the law. God gave him this promise because of his faith. And for those whose hearts believe they are saved because of the law, have no faith in God himself, and are therefore, not saved. “For if those who depend on the law are heirs, faith means nothing and the promise is worthless,” (4:14).
This gracious credit of righteousness was not just for the Israelites of the Old Testament. “The words ‘it was credited to him’ were written not for him alone, but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness - for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead,” (4:23-24). Our salvation is still (and ONLY) rooted in faith.
Sometimes it can be hard to understand scripture. Romans 4 is one of those chapters. But really taking the time to read, and reread, only benefits us, by increasing our understanding of the Word and God himself. Paul quotes Old Testament scripture to help the Romans understand faith in Christ. Some people don’t like to read much of the Old Testament, but it all points to Jesus the Messiah. And reading more of the Old, can help us better understand the New.
Finally, while there are many great things in Romans 5, I’m only going to focus on one:
“Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people. For just as though the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous,” Romans 5:18-19.
Though one sin doomed us, one act saved us.
OK Men - What has stood out to you in Romans 4-5? Anything new? Read any good reminders or something deeply impactful? How is God showing you who he is? Leave a comment!
