Romans 4: 4-12

(Romans 4: 4-12)

Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.  But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.  Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin. Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.  How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.  And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also: And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.

 

Faith begins with realizing that we are sinners. This is because when we realize that we are sinners and that we cannot be saved by our sinner's own power, we seek a savior. Therefore, nothing is more important than realizing who we are. Paul finds and explains in Abraham the basis for the word of being justified by faith. Abraham became a righteous man, and if it was his deeds, he would boast, but because it was not an act, he had nothing to boast.

 

This reveals the process of self-denial in front of the Word of God. Abraham kept trying to apply his thoughts to the Word of God. However, when he denied his thoughts, he accepted God's Word as it was and considered God righteous. Abraham did not do something, but only in self-denial, God regarded it as faith. So, faith is a gift from God in self-denial. In Galatians 3:23, 『But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.』

 

『For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. 』Faith is the result of self-denial. After Paul explained, "Abraham was justified not because of his actions, but because of faith in God," and Paul concludes with David's poem. "Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin. 』 David, contaminated with sin, was revealed before God and repented. So God forgives David's sin and regards him righteous. All human beings must be preceded by confession that they are humans trapped in sin and repentance to the Word of God.

 

『How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision. 』Abraham was circumcised when he was 99 years old. It is when he is 75 years old when he receives the grace that God calls. For 24 years, Abraham disobeyed God's word, despite God's favor. However, when he became a hundred years old, God's word was fully accepted. What made it so? Because he denied his thinking. That becomes the faith that was achieved in the hundredth century.

 

In chapter 4:19, "And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb". He was justified that his faith was not weakened even though he knew that his body was dead. These words are also mentioned in Habakkuk. In Habakkuk chapter 1, no matter how much he prays, he cannot answer. He lives faithfully, but there is nothing that can be done: "Because the wicked surround the righteous, justice is done with war." Only me is wrapped in guilt and others are doing well. But in Chapter 2, God tells Habakkuk, "The righteous live by faith." "To live" is to exist. It is to live forever. This faith is what the Romans say. We must escape from the evil that causes us to sin. Freeing from evil is the way to become righteous. It is through sin that we know whether I am a wicked person or not.