Romans 4:1-15

Our human mindset is that of "earn this", we need to earn the life that was given to us; so in sports, career paths, school, family, music, religion. It is pervasive. Now, look at the message of the Gospel. God says, "You could never earn this. I will send my Son to earn it for you, to be your substitute to die on the cross so you can receive this free gift by faith."

Romans 4 talks about Abraham and Abraham's faith. Abraham was not saved by works, circumcision, or the law, he was saved by faith. Read Romans 4:1-5. These verses were very important to the Jews because Paul was referring to the founder of their religion. That Abraham was seen as righteous in God's eyes because of his faith, not anything he did to "earn it" by following customs but because he believed. Read Romans 4:6-8. Now Paul gives an example of David, the greatest king; he was seen as righteous in God's eyes apart from works. Again, no works, he did not earn it.

Circumcision was huge back then, the Jews felt it guaranteed salvation. Read Romans 4:9-10. Abraham was saved in Genesis 15 and was circumcised years later in Genesis 17. Read 4:11-12. The issue was not circumcision it was faith! Not by works, the law, or circumcision was he counted as righteous but by faith. Read Romans 4:13-15.

Why was God so emphatic about being saved by faith? He mentioned it four times in 1:16-17, nine times in 3:21-31, nine times in 4:1-15, and more in 4:16-5:12. Why so focused and riveted on faith?

• Earn this mindset so pervasive: Self-reliance, earn your way, do it yourself mentality in deep-rooted in the human heart. Every religion is focused on it, cults, and even much of the Christian church sadly. But not Jesus, not in Romans, not in the Bible does it focus on this "earn this" mentality.
• Stakes so high: World War II was thought to have high stakes, rescue europe from evil, racist, oppressive dictator and nazi regime. But the gospel is much bigger than this. World War II was 50-60 years of life and freedom instead of bondage. The Gospel is Eternity of life and living a life in Heaven instead of hell.
• Difficult Passages: The difficult passages, passages like James 2, Acts 2, and even Romans 2 they can confuse and are hard to understand. Why does God include those in the Bible? He's God and we're not! His ways are not our ways, and his thoughts are not our thoughts. On one hand we have a handful of difficult passages and on the other there are tons of passages that are so clear, let the clear passages interpret the unclear. Not by works but by faith in Christ Jesus.
• Message of the Gospel counters of spiritual pride: If we were saved by works, if we contributed anything to our salvation, we would raise one hand in praise to God and the other and pat ourselves on the back. We would become proud, self-righteous, self-reliant people; that's just human nature. The way God planned everything, we have nothing to boast about, we did nothing. Jesus paid it all!
• Believers need to hear the gospel over and over: We need to be reminded frequently that it is a grace plan and not a performance plan. That it's not be works but by faith that we are saved. Just the blood of Jesus!

Discussion Questions
1. Do you have the "earn this" mentality? Are you still striving to earn God's grace and salvation? Are you on the performance plan or grace plan?
2. Are you still relying on your self , do you have a "do it yourself" mentality or are you completely trusting God?
3. Do you give God the glory he deserves are you generous with the praise you give him and the honor due his name or are you stingy and still "patting yourself on the back" thinking that you helped make something happen?