Daily Devotion in Romans 4

 

Daily Nugget:
In Romans 4, the doctrine of works versus faith is discussed. Paul stated (Romans 4:3) that the proper teaching on this subject should be aligned with what the Bible teaches. In this matter and other spiritual questions, the deciding answer should come from, “… what saith the scripture? …” (Romans 4:3).

Your or my opinion has little importance in the light of topics concerning God’s will and way. Unfortunately, many’s beliefs about spiritual things are not always based on God’s Word. Dr. Mickey Carter called that kind of self-concocted belief “fireside religion.” People sometimes sit around and give their opinion. Often, that discussion turns into a life-time belief on the discussed subject, even though there is no biblical basis for it.

There is one God and one way to His Heaven. It is not anyone else’s way, no matter how much education, money, or popularity that person has. Those things do not matter one iota in God’s mind when man’s philosophy does not line up with what He has said in His Word.

If this different opinion problem were not a reality, then there would not be other denominations and religions. Shockingly, many Christian denominations do not even line up with what God has said in many areas, especially in the area of working one’s way to Heaven by good deeds. 

Because most people do not read and study the Bible for themselves, their only biblical knowledge is opinions or what has been expounded from the pulpit. They have assumed because the preacher went to college, he must know the truth of which he is speaking. Unfortunately, many who claim to know scripture do not know them or even believe what they teach.

• A quick study of most religions, and even branches of “Christianity,” may quickly reveal that:
• Idolatry may be involved in their worship, even those confessing they are “Christian.”
• Jesus is not the only way to Heaven according to their teachings. Unbiblical teachings often center around good deeds that do not please God. Good works will get no one into Heaven.
• There are other people of the past that one can pray to and get answers to prayers and receive help other than from Jesus or God.
• Church teachings and writings have a higher importance than the Word of God.
• They often do not know where the Word of God is. Leaders often present many different versions of the Bible, each teaching differently, and even use writings from other religions.

Many church doors would be quickly closed if attendees would simply question the leaders with the same question Paul asked regarding church doctrines. A simple, “I heard what you just preached from the pulpit. Show me in the King James Bible where what you just preached is written down, and I will gladly believe it.” A biblically-aligned church leader, or even one answering your query, should not be offended when you earnestly seek “What saith the Lord?”

Today’s Thought: 
“If you have truth decay, brush up on the Bible!”

Words to Understand:
Heir: one who inherits possessions from another
Impute: to associate with; relate with
Iniquities: wickedness; sin
Transgression: violation of God’s law, in this case
Void: empty; of no effect

Today’s Reading:
Romans 4
1 What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?
2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.
3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,
7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.
8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.
9 ¶ Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.
10 How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.
11 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:
12 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.
13 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.
14 For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:
15 Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.
16 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,
17 ¶ (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.
18 Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.
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 Sara's womb:
20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;
21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.
22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.
23 ¶ Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;
24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;
25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.