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THE KING’S BUSINESS
is true of him, not only as an individual, but as the representative head and the father of the Jewish nation (9:18, cf. 19-22). Just as the blessing of God came to Abraham through faith, so must it come to his seed in the same way. It was when all human hope of becoming the father of a great nation had passed away that by faith Abraham believed the promise of God that he would become the father of a multi tude of people. Thus it was by faith he became the father of the nation. Note the close connection between “counted” or “reckoned” and “righteousness” (4:3-6, 8, 11, 22-24) 11 times; also between “faith” and “righteousness” (3, 5, 9, 13, 14, 16, 20, 22, 24) 9 times; and again the apartness between “faith” and “works” ( 4 :2, 5, 6, 13, 14, 16), 6 times. Fourth. The story of Abraham’s life has been recorded for our sakes (4:23-25). Abraham’s biography was “written for our, learning.” What is true of Abraham’s history is true of the entire Old Testament. “All these things happened unto them for ensamples” ( 1 Corinthians 10:11; cf. 2 Timothy 3:16, 17). Abraham’s faith was a resurrection faith (cf. Genesis 22) ; so is ours, for Christ was raised from the dead for our justification (Romans 4:24, .25). So against all feelings, moods, emotions, we must believe what God’s Word says regarding our relationship to Him through Christ. (b) The new way o f life described-with reference to its method — positively, by faith ( 5 : 1 - 11 ). Nine blessed results of accepting this new way of life, by faith are set forth in this chapter : First. Justification (5:1). Justification is more than pardon and forgiveness. It involves both thèse elements, but is more than these. It is that act of God by which a sinner, believing in the Lord Jesüs Christ, is reckoned or counted righteous-in God’s sight, and treated as though he had never sinned. Second, Peace with God (5:1). “Being justified by faith, we have peace with God.”
out doing’ violence to His own righteous ness (cf. 2 Corinthians S :21; 1 Corinthians 1:30). Third. To justify the ungodly. The word “justification” means, not only to pardon, but to reckon innocent, and to treat accordingly. So because Christ died, those who by faith accept Him as Saviour are treated by God as though they had never sinried. Thus we see that the cross of Christ is the very heart and core of the gospel of God’s salvation. The gospel of substitution is the gospel of Paul, and the gospel of In 3 :27-31 the apostle sums up his argu ment by showing that it was God’s inten tion, in providing such a new way of life, to forever stop all human boasting. What ever salvation God has to bestow upon a sinner comes to him, not because pf what he himself can do, but because of what Christ, the divinely appointed Redeemer, has done for him. Such a method of sal vation is not only in harmony with God’s law, but is honoring to God Himself. 2. The new way of life described in full (4:1-5:11). (a) The new way o f life viewed from the negative side—not by works ( 4 : 1 - 25 ). The new way of life, as here set forth, is in harmony with God’s purposes as set forth in the Old Testament, and His deal ings with His covenant people. First. In verses 1-5 the apostle shows that Abraham was justified in this way— by faith, and not by works. Circumcision in the case of Abraham was but an out ward sign of a faith already within. Self- saved men would make God their debtor, but God is the debtor of no man. Second. David also was justified by faith. David, the royal head of the chosen race, as Abraham was the national head, was justified in the same way—by faith. Circumcision is a sealing, not a saving ordinance. Third. What has been said of Abraham Paul is the gospel of God. The wisdom o f this plan.
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