Romans: In View of God’s Mercy
4:1-25

One of the great mysteries of the Christian faith is this: we are at the same time in the eyes of God, sinful and righteous. We are both worthy and unworthy. Both need to be held in tension. Without remembering that Christ has made us worthy, we will sulk in our sin and live in despair. Without remembering that we are unworthy, we will become arrogant and proud.

In chapter 4, Paul uses as example two men who are heroes of the Jewish faith, Abraham and David. Their faith, Paul says, was credited to them as righteousness. This bestowing of righteousness from God is a gift. It is not earned. God is not obligated to give us this standing, it is a gift. There is no one who can stand proudly before God and say “I earned good standing with you.” All of us stand humbled before God, worthy and unworthy, sinful and righteous.
Join us this Sunday as we continue in the book of Romans!

Pastor Nate Roschen