Dana Haynes
11.18.2020
Romans 4-5
Let’s take a look at Romans Chapter 4 and 5.
It’s hard to dive into chapter 4 without considering all that has come before because Paul begins chapter 4 with a question based on everything he has just been saying.
“What shall we say Abraham, our forefather discovered in this matter?”
What Paul is about to do is to answer his own question by making an argument for justification by faith in Jesus Christ for everyone, not just the Jews. He does this in a very clever way. He explains that God gave Abraham his credit of righteousness before he had ever been circumcised! So, as a Jew, if you had never thought about that before, it would have been a real eye opener. Paul’s assertion is: since Abraham was credited righteousness before his obedience, he is actually the father of everyone, not just the Jews!
In Chapter 5, Paul explains why we need a savior and how sin entered the world through the action of one man, Adam, but because of the action of another man, Jesus, anyone who obeys him can be made righteous.
Probably the most important verse from these two chapters is Romans 5:8:
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
This really moves me because it reminds me that I brought nothing to the table in order for Christ to save me. I am a sinner in need of a savior. Even while we were still an enemy of God, He reached down and allowed us to be a part of his Kingdom. We do not deserve this so we are humbled and filled with gratitude.
2020 Bible Vision 