Chapter 4: Abraham Was Righteous by Faith

v.1 What did Abraham discover?

v.2 Abraham didn’t trust in his works to save him (Romans 7:18).

v.3 God imputes righteousness to us when we believe Him.

v.4–5 If we try to approach God on the basis of our works, we nullify His grace. When we have a right relationship with God, our natural response that flows from our hearts is to do anything He wants us to. Our works are thus motivated by love (2 Corinthians 5:14).

v.7 Blessed means “Oh, how happy!”

v.9–11 God considered Abraham righteous before he had ever been circumcised.

v.13–14 Abraham was accounted righteous before the law was ever given.

v.15 There is no way to break a law before it exists.

v.16 Our salvation is not variable (i.e., dependent on our works), but is as sure as God’s promise to us.

v.17 God talked about Abraham’s son as if Isaac existed before he was even conceived.

v.18–21 The four keys to Abraham’s faith: (1) Abraham ignored the human possibilities and trusted God to keep His promises (Isaiah 55:8,9). (2) Abraham did not stagger at the promises of God (Philippians 4:19). (3) Abraham praised God before the evidence was there. (4) Abraham believed God was able to do what He had said He would (Isaiah 40:15; Ephesians 3:20).