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Read it. Pray it. Share it. Live it.
Paul points to Abraham—the great father of Israel—to prove that God has always made sinners right with Him by faith, not by works. If Abraham had been justified by what he did, he could boast. But Scripture says the opposite: “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness” (vv. 2–3, Gen. 15:6). Paul explains the difference with a simple picture: wages are earned, but a gift is received. That’s why the gospel is so shocking—and so hopeful—God “justifies the ungodly” who stop trying to earn righteousness and instead trust Him (vv. 4–5). David backs this up by celebrating the blessedness of forgiven people whose sins are not counted against them (vv. 6–8, Ps. 32:1–2).
Then Paul tackles circumcision, because many assumed the outward sign was the doorway into God’s blessing. But the timeline matters: Abraham was counted righteous before he was circumcised (vv. 9–10). Circumcision was a sign and seal of a righteousness he already had by faith, not the cause of it (v. 11). That means Abraham is the father of all who believe—Gentiles who believe without circumcision and Jews who are not merely marked outwardly but who “walk in the footsteps” of Abraham’s faith (vv. 11–12).
Paul goes further: the promise didn’t come through the law (which arrived centuries later) but through the righteousness of faith (v. 13). If inheritance came through law-keeping, faith would be emptied and the promise would collapse, because the law exposes sin and brings wrath on lawbreakers (vv. 14–15). That’s why the promise rests on grace and is guaranteed through faith, so it can include all Abraham’s offspring—Jew and Gentile alike (vv. 16–17). Abraham’s faith wasn’t denial of reality; he faced his aged body and Sarah’s barrenness, yet trusted God’s power to give life and keep His word (vv. 18–21). That same kind of faith is what God counts as righteousness for us as we believe in Him who raised Jesus—“delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification” (vv. 22–25).
🌀 Reflection:
Romans 4 presses a hard question: are you treating God like an employer who pays wages, or like a Father who gives grace? Real faith lays down boasting, stops bargaining, and simply trusts God to do what He promised in Christ (vv. 4–5, 20–21).
🎄 Christmas Reflection:
At Christmas, we celebrate a gift that cannot be earned. Jesus is not a reward for good behavior but God’s gracious answer to human helplessness. Just as Abraham believed God’s promise against all odds, we are called to receive Christ the same way—not by working, but by trusting. The birth of Jesus declares that salvation has always been, and will always be, by grace through faith (vv. 4–5, 16).
💬 Mission Challenge:
Encourage someone who feels “too far gone” by sharing the heart of Romans 4: God justifies the ungodly who believe. Tell them you don’t clean yourself up to come to Jesus—you come to Jesus to be made new (vv. 5, 24–25).
Click here to return to the contents page for Phase 2.3 — The Savior, His Church, and the Mission.
Just Keith Harris 