It is a true blessing to be forgiven. In the full context of the passage,Paul reminds us the Abraham believed first and then was circumcised. It was his seal that he had been redeemed likewise, our works are only our seal that we have been redeemed also. We are saved only by faith and that is the blessing. May our works always show who redeemed us.
"Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered." Romans 4:7 The elder Apostle John wrote, I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. While we cannot change the past, we can be of the truth today and walk with a perfect heart toward God and man. What God respected about Abel and his sacrifice, was that he was a man of truth and being wholly of a good conscience and unfeigned faith, offered up sacrifice in honor and memorial of the Promise of Christ coming into the world wherein was ALL his standing and acceptance of God. While we're in this world, AS IT IS, we owe all to the Lord Jesus and what He has done to pay for our sins and set us free from them. We are blessed because we have Jesus!
Hi Jim, you are right with both, the confusion is that there are 2 programs. How you figure out the programs is stated in 2 Tim 2:15. Rightly divide the Word of Truth. Divide meaning to cut straight, you have to separate God's programs as He has. Mid Act's to Philemon are Paul's instructing God's children how to function the Dispensation Of Grace. The Gospels, early Act's - Hebrew on the Kingdom P
Romans tells us the KNOW so salvation (I know I am saved by believing) and in the book of James tells us the SHOW so salvation (I will show you I am saved by my works)
Not only was abraham the father of the circumcision but also of the uncircumcision in that he was a Heathen justified by faith, Thus the gentiles come under the new covenant by faith, The scripture forseeing that God wd justify the Heathen by FAITH Preached the gospel unto Abraham SAYING IN THEE SHALL ALL NATIONS BE BLESSED,Isaiah i have given thee as a covenant to the ppl and a light to gentiles.
"Now to him that works is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that works not, but believes on him that justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness." The Lord has told us we will be rewarded according to our works as showing what kind we are by them. But the redemption of our souls can only be by the blood of Jesus, and our salvation by faith and His grace.
Jesus simply states to the Pharisees that they are of their father the devil, who was the first murderer in that he caused Cain to slay Abel in the Garden of Eden. Jesus even states later that Abraham loved to see his day, then they said how could Abraham have seen you when you are only thirty years old, and Yeshua said "before Abraham was, I am". Then, the Pharisees picked up stones to stone him
WE ALL STAND GUILTY BEFORE GOD. SO GOD GAVE ABRAHAM A PROMISE GGEN 12 3 AND THRU WITCH WOULD RECEIVE A WAY OF SALVATION. THE PROMISE CAME BEFORE THE LAW IT POINTS TO CHRIST WHICH REFERS TO THE PROMISE. NOT LIKE BULLS AND GOATS THAT COVER SIN BUT THRU CHRIST JESUS BLOOD WHAT TOOK SINS AWAY
The importance of faith for justification is underlined in this chapter. Abraham's faith is counted for righteousness. We should seek the cleansing of our sins from the precious Blood of Christ and have undying faith in God to be "counted for righteousness" We should also note that what God has promised in our lives, he is able also to perform.
Romans 4:7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Abraham and David sins were forgiven and covered back in the old testament, but our sins are all washed away , that's how God sees us. God sees us Holy, even though we are not outwardly. 2 Corinthians 4:16 For which cause we faint not but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed.
You have to read the WHOLE story; the Lord is saying that, although He knows they are the seed of Abraham, by their evil hearts of unbelief, and having no place for the truth in them, they WERE NOT Abraham's children, but the devil's children. "And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God."
Romans 4;God's inspired word teaches us where we should stand concerning circumcision of the flesh;ALSO, John 5-5-6 leading to 1 Corinthians 7:18-20,24. .Mary and Joseph were Jewish, if they circumcised their children it would not have been sin.We are not told if they did or didn't. If scripture doesn't say,neither should we. Don't add to His Word. May you have faith in His word.
Jesus called Abraham a liar that did not receive the word of God. John 8:44 Ye are of [your] father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. Believe Jesus not Paul, Jesus has no guile.
Rom 4:25 is the real end of discussions;there is no sin and attendant condemnation against anyone that is in Jesus Christ by faith and work that mirrors Him (in you) to your world. His intercession with the Father alleviates our shortfalls everyday. There is nothing new the Lord God will do for anyone again that has not been settled in Jesus Christ. This fact is sacrosanct, clear and unambiguous.
Paul asserts that Abraham believed God and it was accounted as Faith. But Abraham was visited by Angels sent by God, clearly supernatural beings. Paul was visited by Jesus himself, supposedly. We are asked to believe based on the account of those who lived thousands of years ago. I will have faith and also carefully abide by the law. Acknowledgement of the law of God is equal to faith.
Linda Wms. - You are right on; it can be taken further though - Jas. ch. 2; "But wilt thou know, O man, that faith without works is dead. After faith brings us to Acts 2:38 - Then the GOOD works begin, in our witnessing. Any 'works' before Acts 2:38 are dead because we haven't His spirit of truth in us. It is the spirit that quickens, that 'pricks' the heart of sin. Eph. 2:10; Heb. 10:24; Tit.3:14
Romans was written to show works are dead in the pursuit of rightousness, but it is faith in God that brings us in a right standing with Him by His grace.
Landon:To be saved you must be "Called":John6:44, seek mercy: Luke 18:13, You will be Baptized with the Holy Ghost and Fire.( You will know!) 2Corinthians 5:17 impossible not to know! Many believe they are saved. Many will say to me in that day, Lord,Lord--- I never knew you:depart from me,ye that work iniquity.Matthew7:22-23( eternity is for--) Revelations 20:15,Matthew7:13 many there be that go-
1Corinthians 1:18__ preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness;but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. Ephesians 1:7__ redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins__
Hebrews10:12__ offered one sacrifice for sins forever,sat down on the right hand of God
Bible Study Mark 16:16 1 Peter 3:21 Luke 24:47 Acts 2:38 Acts 19:1-6 Acts 10:44-48 1 Corinthians 14:2 , 14:22,14:39 Acts 5:32 John 21:15
We must be baptized in water in the name of Jesus to be saved.😇 I know this because I was raised in a traditional religion that said all you have to do to be saved is believe. Sorry , I can believe I am a grasshopper but does that make me one . Amen
Prince:Have you been, John 6:44. Ask forgiveness, Romans 10:13. You will be, ll Corinthians 5:17 it will be like night and day, hot and cold. YOU WILL KNOW!!
We are not living under the law now but we live by God's grace. We are saved and redeemed by God's grace and thru the BLOOD of Jesus. Jesus sent for us so that we may have life in abundance. JESUS IS GIVEN FOR US FOR OUR SINS TO BE FORGIVEN. Lets PRAISE AND WORSHIP JESUS ALONE FOR HE IS WORTHY. NO OTHER GREAT on this earth except JESUS.THANK YOU ABBA FATHER AMEN
Hebrews10:12__ offered one sacrifice for sins forever,sat down on the right hand of God
Mark 16:16
1 Peter 3:21
Luke 24:47
Acts 2:38
Acts 19:1-6
Acts 10:44-48
1 Corinthians 14:2 , 14:22,14:39
Acts 5:32
John 21:15
We must be baptized in water in the name of Jesus to be saved.😇 I know this because I was raised in a traditional religion that said all you have to do to be saved is believe. Sorry , I can believe I am a grasshopper but does that make me one . Amen