Romans 4:1-12

In a world inundated with negativity, we often find ourselves desperately seeking good news. Whether it's hoping for a compliment on social media, anxiously checking our mailbox for an unexpected check, or praying for a positive report at work, we're constantly on the lookout for something to lift our spirits. This universal longing for good news sets the stage for a profound spiritual truth: the gospel is the ultimate good news that corresponds to our deepest bad news. As we navigate life's challenges, understanding this concept can revolutionize our perspective and bring lasting joy.
The bad news is stark but necessary to confront: we are all sinners who have fallen short of God's holy standard. No matter how good we think we are or how many good deeds we've done, we cannot earn our way into God's favor. Even Abraham, often considered one of the most righteous figures in history, was not justified by his works but by his faith. This realization leads us to the heart of the good news: we are justified freely by God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ. It's not about what we can do for God, but about believing in who He is and what He has done for us. This truth is beautifully encapsulated in Romans 4:5, which states, "And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness." Let that sink in for a moment. God justifies the ungodly. Our salvation is not based on our actions or religious observances, but on our faith in Christ's finished work on the cross. This is a radical departure from the transactional mindset we often bring to our relationships, including our relationship with God.
To illustrate this point, consider the story of Abraham in Genesis 15. God promised Abraham, who was old and childless, that his offspring would be as numerous as the stars. Despite the seeming impossibility of this promise, Abraham believed God. That faith, not any action on Abraham's part, was credited to him as righteousness. This principle of justification by faith alone is further reinforced by the example of David. In Romans 4:7-8, we read, "Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin." This declaration of blessedness or happiness comes not from our own righteousness, but from God's forgiveness and Christ's covering of our sins.
Understanding this truth should radically change how we view ourselves and others. If our salvation is not based on our works or religious observances, then we must stop trying to earn what has already been freely given. As the theologian Wayne Grudem defines it, "Justification is an instantaneous legal act of God in which he thinks of our sin as forgiven and Christ's righteousness as belonging to us and declares us to be righteous in his sight." This realization has profound implications for how we live our lives and interact with others. If we truly grasp the magnitude of God's grace towards us, it should compel us to extend that same grace to others. Someone who doesn't understand God's freely given grace will struggle to extend grace to others when they fail.
Moreover, this understanding of justification by faith should transform our approach to church involvement and religious commitment. While these things are important as signs of our faith, they are not the basis of our salvation. Our commitment to our faith should be a reflection of the righteousness that has already been credited to us through faith, not an attempt to earn God's favor.
This truth also challenges us to reconsider how we view and treat others, especially those who may not fit our preconceived notions of what a "godly" person looks like. The reality is that heaven will be filled with people from all walks of life – former addicts, ex-convicts, and others who may have lived rough lives – all justified not by their actions, but by their faith in Christ.
In light of this, how should we respond? First, we must recognize that we have truly good news to celebrate and share. Even on our worst days, when everything seems to be falling apart, we can find hope and joy in the knowledge that our salvation is secure in Christ.
Secondly, we can respond to the trials and bad news of life by worshiping Jesus, the one who saved us. Unlike those without this hope, we have a reason to lift our eyes above our circumstances and find comfort in God's unchanging love and grace. Finally, we must continually remind ourselves of this truth: we couldn't earn our salvation, we don't deserve it, yet God freely gives it to those who believe. This humbling reality should foster in us a deep sense of gratitude and a desire to live in a way that reflects the transformative power of God's grace.
As we navigate the challenges of life in a world that often seems dominated by bad news, let's hold fast to the ultimate good news of the gospel. May we find our hope, joy, and purpose not in our own efforts or the fleeting pleasures of this world, but in the unchanging truth of God's love and grace towards us in Christ Jesus. In doing so, we'll discover a wellspring of joy and peace that transcends our circumstances, enabling us to face life's ups and downs with unwavering faith and unshakeable hope. This is the power of good news in a bad news world – a truth that can transform not just our lives, but the lives of those around us as we extend the same grace we've received to others.

Justified by Faith Alone

Opening Question: Share a time when you received unexpectedly good news. How did it impact your mood or outlook?

Key Takeaways:

1. We live in a world inundated with bad news, making us long for good news.
2. The gospel is good news that corresponds to our bad news as sinners.
3. Justification is by faith alone, not by works or religious rituals.
4. Abraham was credited as righteous because of his faith, not his actions.
5. God justifies the ungodly who believe in Him.

Discussion Questions:

1. How does the idea that "we cannot be good enough" for salvation challenge or comfort you?
2. The sermon states, "If I could lose my salvation, I would. But instead, I have a God who holds on to it." How does this perspective impact your understanding of salvation?
3. Discuss the difference between thinking of our relationship with God as transactional versus based on grace. How might this shift in thinking affect our daily lives?
4. The pastor mentions that there will be "rough characters" in heaven. How does this challenge our perceptions of who "deserves" salvation?
5. How does understanding God's grace impact our ability to extend grace to others?
6. What does it mean practically to "build our religion and church like our life around it, not plug in church where it fits"?

Practical Applications:

1. Reflect on areas in your life where you might be trying to "earn" God's favor. How can you shift towards relying on faith instead?
2. Practice extending grace to someone who has wronged you this week, remembering the undeserved grace you've received from God.
3. Evaluate your commitment to church involvement. Are there areas where you can deepen your engagement?
4. When facing bad news or difficult circumstances this week, intentionally remind yourself of the good news of the gospel.

Closing Prayer: Thank God for His freely given grace and justification through faith. Ask for help in truly believing and living out this truth in your daily life.