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But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness (Romans 4:5, NASB) Logos Bible Fellowship 3/7/2007. Amazing Grace. The Holiness of God.
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But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness (Romans 4:5, NASB)Logos Bible Fellowship3/7/2007 Amazing Grace
The Holiness of God But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness (Romans 4:5, NASB) • God is completely holy (Rev. 4:8) • Jesus is completely holy (Heb. 7:26) • Man is commanded to be holy (1 Pet. 1:15-16) • In fact, man must be perfect (Matt. 5:48) • Holiness is moral/ethical wholeness/perfection • No one lacking in holiness will see the Lord or enter heaven (Heb. 12:14; Rev. 21:27)
The Condition of Man But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness (Romans 4:5, NASB) • Ungodly (Greek: ajsebhvVfromsevbomai) – Destitute of reverence towards God, condemning God, godless • Also: wicked (Jer. 17:9), enemies (Col. 1:21), sinners (Rom. 5:8), unrighteous (Rom. 3:10), objects of wrath (Eph. 2:3), subject to hell (Rev 21:8) • Man is doomed to judgment (Acts 17:30-31) • The law is made for the ungodly (1 Tim 1:9) • Ten commandments test (James 2:10; Galatians 3:10)
The Futility of Works But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness (Romans 4:5, NASB) • Can be translated: But to the one who is not working but believing on Him… • Immediate context • Abraham was not justified by works and could not boast • Works would nullify the gift of grace (see Eph. 2:8-9) • David God credits righteousness apart from works • Contrasted with grace (Rom. 11:6) • The ultimate end of works (Gal. 2:21)
The Grace of God But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness (Romans 4:5, NASB) • Grace is favor/kindness shown without regard to worth/merit in spite of what the person deserves • The word “justify” is a judicial term meaning “to render, declare, or pronounce someone righteous” • Christ is the only Savior (Acts 4:12; John 14:6) • Christ died for the ungodly (Romans 5:6) • Christ saves the ungodly (1 Tim 1:15) • While dead, God made us alive (Eph. 2:1-9)
The Fruitfulness of Faith But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness (Romans 4:5, NASB) • “Believes” and “faith” are the same word (pisteuvonti, pivstiV), which means faith, trust, belief, conviction • Faith is only as good as its object (Col. 1:23) • Saving faith begins with realizing you are a helpless sinner (James 4:6; Luke 5:31-32; publican; thief) • Saving faith always includes repentance (self denial) and a desire to live for God’s glory (2 Tim. 2:19; Luke 14:33) • Anyone who calls upon the Name…(Rom. 10:11,13)
The Righteousness of God But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness(Romans 4:5, NASB) • “Justifies” and “righteous” are from the same root word (dikaiou:nta, dikaiosuvnhn) • Christ was credited with our sins so we can be credited with His righteousness (2 Cor. 5:21; 1 Cor. 1:30) • Cast aside your “righteousness” and pursue God’s (Rom. 9:30-10:4; Phil. 3:2-9; Rom. 1:16-17) • Christ presents us as holy (Col. 1:21-22) • We are becoming what we already are (Heb. 10:14) • Have you been covered in Christ’s righteousness or are you trying to establish your own (Rom. 4:23-24)?