But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness (Romans 4:5, NASB) Logos Bible Fellowship 3/7/2007 Amazing Grace

But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness (Romans 4:5, NASB) God is completely holy (Rev. 4:8) Jesus is completely holy (Heb. 7:26) Man is commanded to be holy (1 Pet. 1:15-16) In fact, man must be perfect (Matt. 5:48) Holiness is moral/ethical wholeness/perfection No one lacking in holiness will see the Lord or enter heaven (Heb. 12:14; Rev. 21:27) The Holiness of God

But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness (Romans 4:5, NASB) Ungodly (Greek: ajsebhvV from sevbomai) – Destitute of reverence towards God, condemning God, godless Also: wicked (Jer. 17:9), enemies (Col. 1:21), sinners (Rom. 5:8), unrighteous (Rom. 3:10), objects of wrath (Eph. 2:3), subject to hell (Rev 21:8) Man is doomed to judgment (Acts 17:30-31) The law is made for the ungodly (1 Tim 1:9) Ten commandments test (James 2:10; Galatians 3:10) The Condition of Man

But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness (Romans 4:5, NASB) Can be translated: But to the one who is not working but believing on Him… Immediate context Abraham was not justified by works and could not boast Works would nullify the gift of grace (see Eph. 2:8-9) David  God credits righteousness apart from works Contrasted with grace (Rom. 11:6) The ultimate end of works (Gal. 2:21) The Futility of Works

But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness (Romans 4:5, NASB) Grace is favor/kindness shown without regard to worth/merit in spite of what the person deserves The word “justify” is a judicial term meaning “to render, declare, or pronounce someone righteous” Christ is the only Savior (Acts 4:12; John 14:6) Christ died for the ungodly (Romans 5:6) Christ saves the ungodly (1 Tim 1:15) While dead, God made us alive (Eph. 2:1-9) The Grace of God

But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness (Romans 4:5, NASB) “Believes” and “faith” are the same word (pisteuvonti, pivstiV), which means faith, trust, belief, conviction Faith is only as good as its object (Col. 1:23) Saving faith begins with realizing you are a helpless sinner (James 4:6; Luke 5:31-32; publican; thief) Saving faith always includes repentance (self denial) and a desire to live for God’s glory (2 Tim. 2:19; Luke 14:33) Anyone who calls upon the Name…(Rom. 10:11,13) The Fruitfulness of Faith

But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness (Romans 4:5, NASB) “Justifies” and “righteous” are from the same root word (dikaiou:nta, dikaiosuvnhn) Christ was credited with our sins so we can be credited with His righteousness (2 Cor. 5:21; 1 Cor. 1:30) Cast aside your “righteousness” and pursue God’s (Rom. 9:30-10:4; Phil. 3:2-9; Rom. 1:16-17) Christ presents us as holy (Col. 1:21-22) We are becoming what we already are (Heb. 10:14) Have you been covered in Christ’s righteousness or are you trying to establish your own (Rom. 4:23-24)? The Righteousness of God