Romans 4:1-8

¹ “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.” ⁴ Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. ⁵ And to the one who does not work but trusts him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, ⁶ just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works:
⁷ “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; ⁸ blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.”

The New Testament word translated “faith” is pistis and it is used (in various forms) three times in this passage:

(4:3) The word translated, “believed” is episteusen (a past tense verb).

(4:5a) The word translated, “trusts” is pisteuonti (a present active verb).

(4:5b) The word translated, “faith” is pistis (the root word; which is a noun).

One of the clearest passages in Scripture to contrast the uses of this word is found in John 2:23-25

²³ “Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed (episteusan) in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing. ²⁴ But Jesus on his part did not entrust (episteuen) himself to them, because he knew all people ²⁵ and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man.”

So it is very easy to see that what the Bible means when it says we must “believe” in Jesus Christ is that we must “entrust” – or as the King James has it – “commit” ourselves to Him. It is much deeper than the typical and casual use of the word “believe” today.

For example, we “believe” it will rain; meaning we think it will but we are not sure. Or, we “believe” that our favorite sports team is the best of all, when in fact – they may not be.

The Bible does not allow for any such ambiguity! If we claim to “believe” in Jesus Christ we must be convinced about Who He is and What He has done to the point of “committing” our self, our soul, and our eternal future to Him!

Another area of common confusion is the relationship of “faith” and “works.” Let me be clear here – this is vitally important – human works have no part in our salvation. They cannot save us or even assist God in saving us… but, real saving faith in Jesus Christ will ALWAYS produce good works in the life of the person who possesses that faith!

It is a problem of “cause and effect.” Good works are NEVER the cause of anyone’s salvation; but, they are ALWAYS the effect of one’s being saved!

James 2:18 is very helpful here: “But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.”

Let me add one additional warning… we are not saved by faith in and of itself! That would be to have “faith in faith.” We are saved by faith in the object of our faith – Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God!

This is really important! It is this doctrine (rightly understood) that separates authentic Bible-believing Christians from all of those who possess a phony faith.

As the Lord allows, when we look at the text this coming Lord’s Day I will build the sermon around a two-point framework: i.e., the Illustrations of Salvation by Faith Alone; and, the Implications of Salvation by Faith Alone!

God, speaking through the Apostle Paul, gives us two illustrations of being saved by faith alone: Abraham and David. The life experiences of these two men could hardly be more different; yet, the Bible reveals that they – like everyone else – were saved by faith and by faith alone!

There are, of course, lots and lots of implications of salvation being by faith alone. I have never heard or read were anyone summarized these better than did the man who discipled me in theology, (by the miracle of video tape) Dr. John H. Gerstner.

Dr. Gerstner lists seven specific implications for those who accept Jesus Christ on the basis of “sola fide” or faith alone:

1. The justified one does “not work.”

2. The justified one “trusts.”

3. The justified one trusts not in himself but in another: “God.”

4. The justified one confesses himself to be “wicked.”

5. The justified one does not have faith in his faith.

6. The justified one sees his faith only as “credited” to him.

7. The justified one sees his faith credited as “righteousness.”

Beloved Ones, as the Lord allows, I will teach through each of these points this coming Lord’s Day morning. I hope you will read over these scriptures and my notes, pray through them, and think through them as you prepare your spirit to hear the Word of God!

I hope to see you Sunday with your Bible in your hand, a smile on your face, and your family and friends by your side!