Theology for Everybody: RomansSample

Was Abraham saved by something he did or by something that God did? If it was something that he did, then it was works, and as Paul writes, “He has something to boast about” (v. 2). However, the apostle continues, “But not before God.” Abraham was saved by God’s works, not his works. Abraham didn’t save himself. It was 100 percent grace.

Why is this so significant centuries later in Paul’s day? The Jews were all about the Law. The Law, made up of the first five Old Testament books, contained 613 individual laws. The Jews decided that if you did enough “right” things instead of wrong, God would judge you and send you to heaven. God would judge you and send you to hell if you did more “wrong” things than right things. In other words, external obedience to God’s law could save you even if you did not have external faith. If that’s true, then there is a legitimate case for boasting.

However, this theory has several significant problems if Abraham is the example. First, he lived about 500 years before the Law was written. He could not have obeyed it because it didn’t yet exist. Second, when God made His covenant with Abraham in Genesis 15, the participation was entirely one-sided. An Old Testament covenant was a serious, somber event in which an animal was sacrificed and cut in two, and the two covenanting parties would then walk through the two pieces. Genesis 15:17 says, “A smoking fire pot and a flaming torch passed between these pieces.” Do you notice who didn’t pass between the pieces? That’s right—Abraham. Abraham didn’t pass between the two pieces because he was asleep. He literally did nothing while God did everything. God established the relationship and made the covenant to honor His promises to Abraham with Himself.

Even if Abraham somehow had access to the law and had stayed awake for the covenant ceremony, he still would not have been able to boast. We tend to think of Abraham as a great guy, but he made some significant errors.

·God gave Abraham the Promised Land, but he gave it away to his nephew Lot (Genesis 13).

·God said Abraham would have offspring through his wife, Sarah, but he gave her away—not once but twice! (Genesis 12:10–20; 20:1–18). God had to bring her back both times.

·God said He would bless Sarah’s son, but Abraham got tired of waiting. He committed adultery with Hagar and got her pregnant. Sarah became jealous, and when she eventually had Isaac, Abraham was forced to send Hagar and her son, Ishmael, away. Abraham’s son Isaac was the son of the promise. God promised to work through Isaac to bring forth the nation of Israel to bring forth Jesus, the blessing to the nations of the earth.

Abraham was not without sin, and therefore he could not boast. He was saved by faith in a faithful God who overcame his messy mistakes. The same is true for every person in the history of the world. If you have a relationship with God today, it’s by grace through faith in God’s Son, Jesus Christ. You can’t work for righteousness. It’s a gift, and no one can boast.

Today’s Reflection

Will God still be faithful to His promises to you even if you make mistakes?