Genuine faith
by Stuart Gray
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If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about – but not before God. What does Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness’ (Romans 4:2,3).
Read Romans 4:1–12
Good communicators will use easily relatable examples to illustrate messages they are trying to convey. In this passage and tomorrow’s passage, Paul uses the life of Abraham to demonstrate what true faith is like.
Abraham is the patriarch of the Jewish people. The Jews at the time of Jesus used Abraham as an example of justification by works. But here, Paul uses Abraham as an exemplary example of righteousness by faith.
In Genesis 26, God reiterates to Isaac the promises he made to Abraham that through his offspring, all nations on earth will be blessed ‘because Abraham obeyed [him] and kept [his] requirements, [his] commands, [his] decrees and [his] laws’ (verse 5).
Paul asks whether Abraham was made righteous through his works and adherence to the law. He answers his own question by quoting Genesis 15:6: ‘Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.’
It was Abraham’s belief, his faith, and not his works, that made him righteous in God’s eyes.
And for Paul, faith is not something we produce for ourselves to earn merit. Faith is our response to God’s act of grace. It is by God’s grace that we are saved, and our faith is the access to that grace.
And to reinforce his argument, Paul quotes David writing in Psalm 32:6–8:
David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the one to whom God credits righteousness apart from works: ‘Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord will never count against them.’
Then Paul tackles the issue of whether this blessedness only applies to the Jews, the circumcised. No, he answers, because Abraham was justified in God’s sight before he was circumcised. Again, it is faith that is important, not good works or the law.
Because of this, Abraham is the spiritual father of all who believe, both Jew and Gentile.
So, while we often think of the Old Testament as dealing with the Law, the founding father of the Jewish nation was justified by faith in God, not because he upheld the Law. This is a wonderful example of the amazing continuity between the Old and New Testaments.
Heavenly Father, there are many examples of people of faith from which we can take great inspiration. We pray for such faith for ourselves so that we may be an example of faith for others to come to you through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. Amen.
Stuart is retired and, with his wife Pamela Dalgliesh, lives in Mansfield, Victoria. Stuart has a background in agricultural science, rural journalism and corporate affairs. He now loves living a peaceful life on a small farm in the beautiful High Country of Victoria. He mentors learner drivers and is a Red Cross Patient Transport driver. Stuart is also involved in the Mansfield Anglican church and the Mansfield community.
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