The Ground of Faith

“What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness” (Romans 4:1-5).

THIS passage begins with a question which the Apostle Paul anticipated in view of what he had set forth in the preceding three chapters of Romans. He had proven the utter depravity of human nature and the complete helplessness of man in saving himself by his own works and by the keeping of the law. Having done this, Paul declares that salvation is entirely by faith, wholly apart from the works of the law. This was not a welcome truth to the legalists of his day, who prided themselves upon their own goodness and righteousness and boasted of their law-keeping. Paul, therefore, directs their attention to father Abraham, and asks, “How was Abraham saved?” By faith or by the works of the law? Certainly not by keeping the law for the law was not given until at least four hundred years after Abraham was born. Paul then appeals to the Scripture itself. That, after all, is the final authority, not man’s word, not the teaching of some church, not some man’s dogma, not your opinion. Paul quotes from Genesis 15 these words:

“Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.”

It was, then, all by faith, and faith alone, wholly apart from the works of the law. Abraham believed God. Now Paul does not say that Abraham believed in God, but rather, he believed God. There is a vast difference between believing in God and believing, God. All men, except fools, believe there is a God; but most of them do not believe He is working in the world today or a word He says.

Adapted and modified excerpts from Studies in the Life of Abraham by M. R. De Haan (1891-1964)
Unless otherwise noted, Scripture taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®, ESV © 2016 by Crossway Bibles.
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