Romans 4:1-5
“1 What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.’ 4 Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. 5 And to the one who does not work but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness.”
Religion says earn. Gospel says given.
Matthew 23:13
“…Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces.”
We aren’t convinced of the gospel’s claims of our depravity; we think we could earn.
We aren’t convinced of the gospel’s claims of God’s goodness; we think we have to earn.
Imputation: the act of attributing, charging, or crediting something to a person, source, or account.
#1. Imputation of sin: the guilt/penalty of a human being’s sins are put on Jesus.
Romans 6:23
“For the wages of sin is death…”
Isaiah 64:6
“We have all become like one who is unclean, and our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment.”
Isaiah 53:4,6
“4 Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows…6 The Lord has hung on Him the iniquity of us all.”
#2. Imputation of righteousness: the perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ is put on us.
Romans 6:23
“…but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
2 Corinthians 5:21
“For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.”
The glorious exchange stands to convince us salvation is not earned; it’s given!
We don’t trust God’s giving
John 3:16
“God so loved the world he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life”
Isaiah 53:11-12
“11 Out of the anguish of His soul He shall see and be satisfied; by His knowledge shall the righteous one, My Servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and shall bear their iniquities. 12 Therefore I will divide the spoil with the strong, because He poured out His soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors, yet He bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors.”
Ephesians 5:25
“Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her…”
Question of ownership; whose righteousness is it?
Romans 4:1-5
“1 What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.’ 4 Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. 5 And to the one who does not work but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness.”
Religion says earn. But the gospel says given.
Response #1. Don’t divide the gospel:
He put our sin on him
He put his righteousness on us
Ephesians 2:8-9
“8 For by grace you have been saved through faith and this not of your own doing, it is the gift of God. 9 Not a result of works, so that no one can boast.”
Response #2. Receive what was given by rejoicing