I can't believe Paul used a minor surgical procedure as his basis for explaining the difference between grace and works. I don't feel so bad about using the speed limit analogy. This is great stuff. By the way, what's all this talk about circumcism? Here's my take on it, I'd like to hear what you guys think. Circumcism was like a tattoo, which symbolized a seal of approval, to set the circumcised apart from the rest of the world. It was not a means of approval, like we say a person cannot earn his/her salvation, it's a gift through faith; well circumcism was symbolic of that faith granted to the Jewish people all because of Abraham's faith. Knowing this is a must if you're to understand this chapter. Now....
Romans 4:15 This is my birthday so I just had to start here; "for where there is no law, there is no transgression". I've discussed this with people before that the definition of sin and transgression are different. A sin can be a transgression, but not always. A sin is "falling short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). A transgression is breaking a known law of God as we see from this passage. Seems like a minor issue but not really. The definition I grew up with was that sin was a "willful transgression". In other words, we didn't sin much as christians unless we deliberatetely broke a law we knew not to do. Well as we see here it not only means a willful transgression, i.e. breaking the law, but also falling short, or just being unrighteous (1 John 5:17), "all unrighteousness is sin". I think scripture shows us we as christians have the ability to live above sin through the power of living in the Spirit, but that we fall short of the glory of God much more than our pride will allow us to see. Let's not dilute God's grace. If we are not saved by works then we cannot remained saved by works either.
Romans 4:21 Here we see how Abraham had achieved his faith (verse 9). How then did this happen? Because he was "fully convinced" that what God had promised He would deliver. I don't think you can find a better definition for faith. Grace, MB
2 comments:
Romans 4:20 "Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised."
I liked this scripture. God makes many promises throughout His word.
"I will never leave you nor forsake you."
"Come to me you who are weary and heavy burdened and I will give you rest."
And so on and so forth. We have to have faith that God will fulfill those promises. And sometimes it's tough. But look at the outcome of Abraham's faith. God is good. All the time. We just have to trust Him. :)
Excellent thought Carrie.
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