The Gospel According to Paul

But if we can “do” enough good to be saved, then… 1) God’s grace is unnecessary 2) Christ’s sacrifice is also unnecessary

1) Modernist thought – We’re saved by being good 2) Catholic thought – We’re saved by “good” religious works 3) Jewish thought – We’re justified by works of the Law

Romans 4:1-3 What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.”

What did HE gain? Justified? Righteous? How did he get there? The state of him who is such as he ought to be, the condition acceptable to God Righteousness / Thayer – The state of him who is such as he ought to be, the condition acceptable to God to take into account, to pass to one’s account Reckon / counted / Thayer – to take into account, to pass to one’s account Conclusion? One is righteous when GOD counts him as righteous

 That his faith was counted as if it were righteousness  That his faith was a substitute for righteousness  That Abraham was counted righteous ONLY because of his belief in God John 12:42-43 Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.

Hebrews 11:6 6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

James 2:20-24 Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; 23 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. 24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.

Romans 3:28 For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law. Mark 7:6-9 And he said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, “‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; 7 in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ 8 You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men.” 9 And he said to them, “You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God in order to establish your tradition! (religious works of men)

John 6:28-29 Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” 29 Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” Faith itself IS a work. Hebrews 5:9 And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, James 2:24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.

Genesis 22:12 He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.” Because his faith was an OBEDIENT faith

James 2:21-23 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; 23 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. Because of his OBEDIENCE he received grace, i.e. righteousness

That is the implication of the Greek term “eis”, i.e. looking forward to… as in Acts 2:38 And seen in Romans 4: 3, 5, 9

 Abraham was blessed by his faith  Because it led him to obedience, justification, and righteousness  Anyone can follow this same course of obedience of blessing Life is not a checkbook to be balanced Trust and obey