Grace Unveiled, #10: Credited to Your Account | Jim Hammond
Recap
Pastor Jim preached the 10th installment of his series entitled, “Grace Unveiled,” a study of the book of Romans. This message subtitled, “Credited to Your Account,” finishes up the study of the sin problem and then begins a study of the solution to man’s sin problem—which is Romans 3:21–22, “…faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe.” Pastor Jim said, “The reason why Paul spent so much time talking about the sin problem is because you can’t understand the solution if you don’t understand the problem.”
Dive Deeper
Greek scholars and commentators believe the first three chapters of Romans are the most difficult to understand, as these 92 verses give a detailed diagnosis and explanation of sin.
It isn’t until Romans 3:21 when Paul actually presents the solution to the sin problem.
The reason why Paul spent so much time talking about the sin problem is because you can’t understand the solution if you don’t understand the problem.
Paul took the first three chapters of Romans to explain that people without Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior cannot be righteous in God’s eyes. No matter how many good works you have to your name, you will never—can never—be righteous before God.
People have a genetic defect inherent in their flesh—it’s called the sin nature.
Here is the problem. How does a holy and just God bridge the gap between our sin nature and His holiness? How does He make it possible for the Holy Spirit to dwell in us?
The Old Testament saints did not have that advantage. If the Old Testament saints wanted to speak to God, they had to seek out a prophet.
His solution makes us pure enough to have a real relationship with Him and live in heaven with Him. How does He justify us to the point where we can enjoy life with Him?
In Romans chapter 4, Paul used both Abraham and David as examples. Abraham was counted righteous not because of his works, but because he believed.
David was under the Old Testament law. Abraham was not under the law. He was under the Abrahamic covenant. You could say Abraham was the first Hebrew ever. Abraham was the founder of the Hebrew race.
Romans 4:1, “[But] if so, what shall we say about Abraham, our forefather humanly speaking—[what did he] find out? [How does this affect his position, and what was gained by him?] 2 For if Abraham was justified (established as just by acquittal from guilt) by good works [that he did, then] he has grounds for boasting. But not before God!”
What does the scripture say? “Abraham believed in, trusted in God, and it was credited to his account as righteousness.” It tells us what was credited to his account. And what’s the account? As if you’ve lived right and are in right standing. He’s credited with that. Because he believed! Not because he lived right.
Verse 4–5 says, “Now to a laborer, his wages are not counted as a favor or a gift, but as an obligation (something owed to him). But to one who, not working [by the Law], trusts (believes fully) in Him Who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited to him as righteousness (the standing acceptable to God).”
Who does He justify? The godly? No! The ungodly! His faith is credited to him as righteousness. That’s New Testament righteousness. That didn’t happen in the Old Testament except with Abraham.
Paul is trying to get us to understand what this gift of New Testament righteousness brings for us.
Remember, the first three chapters tells us that no man was morally right with God. Not the pagans… not the practicing Jew… and not the regular good guy. They can do nothing to make themselves righteous before God.
Then he points to the solution in Romans 3:21, “But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe.”
Read About It
Rom. 4:1–5 “[But] if so, what shall we say about Abraham, our forefather humanly speaking—[what did he] find out? [How does this affect his position, and what was gained by him?] 2 For if Abraham was justified (established as just by acquittal from guilt) by good works [that he did, then] he has grounds for boasting. But not before God! 3 For what does the Scripture say? Abraham believed in (trusted in) God, and it was credited to his account as righteousness (right living and right standing with God). 4 Now to a laborer, his wages are not counted as a favor or a gift, but as an obligation (something owed to him). 5 But to one who, not working [by the Law], trusts (believes fully) in Him Who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited to him as righteousness (the standing acceptable to God).”
Rom. 3:21, “But now the righteousness of God has been revealed independently and altogether apart from the Law, although actually it is attested by the Law and the Prophets, 22 Namely, the righteousness of God which comes by believing with personal trust and confident reliance on Jesus Christ (the Messiah).”
Discussion Questions
What was it about Abraham that God said made him righteous?
In your own words, describe what the “sin problem” is.
What is the solution to man’s sin problem?