Romans 4, part 2: Biblical Faith

• Book of Romans was written: by the Apostle Paul in AD 57, likely from Corinth
• Recipients were believers in Rome, from both Jewish and Gentile backgrounds

Timeline: Major OT figures &events of Abraham's life

Questions

1. v1-3. Jews and Muslims praise Abraham because of his love and obedience in the face of various tests from God.  Was Abraham accepted because he passed these tests; if not, why did God test him?
2. v4-8. If we work, God is under obligation to pay us.  What is the result of trying to gain God's acceptance by passing tests, etc.?  On the other hand if we _____________, then God _________ righteousness to us.
3. v9-12.  Here is the chronological argument that shows the relationship between what God says and does and our responses.  Sketch it out from the diagram above.
4. v13-17.  Here the promise and the law are contrasted.  Is it possible to receive righteousness by faith, and then carry on afterwards by the law? (cf. 1:17)
5. v18-22.  There is a lot of confusion over the word "belief". This passage explains why Abraham's belief in God made him acceptable to God.
   What are these characteristics of Abraham's belief (cf. Hebrews 11:8-19)?
   
   Why are the following definitions of "belief" less than biblical?
   1. Mental assent (cf. James 2:14-26)
   2. A feeling (2 Cor. 4:18- 5:10)
   3. Positive (wishful) thinking (1 Cor. 15:12-26)
   4. Something that isn't true in a literal sense

   Why is  it important that our way of believing is biblical?.

6. v23-25. Paul now makes the application to us:
   • What kind of belief will gain us God's gift of righteousness?  What is our part and what is God's?
   • How do we grow personally? (more on this in next few chapters of Romans)

Discussion

1. Are there aspects of Abraham's faith that challenge you?

2. If faith is the answer, then what is the question?

   • Recall the main elements in the breakdown of relationship between God and humankind (Genesis 3, Romans 1).
   • What is God's plan for addressing the root problems? (Romans 3:21-30) 
   • How does this help us understand what biblical faith is?
   • What kind of process should we expect to God to take us through?

Important: this is not the end of the story!

Remember there are 3 phases of Christian life: Justification, Sanctification, Glorification.  We're still on Good Friday (justification), but Easter Sunday's (sanctification) coming!