Bible Readings:
Genesis 15:1 -21
Romans 3:21 – 4:12
Sermon Outline:
Romans 4:1–5 (NKJV)
1What then shall we say that Abraham our father has found according to the flesh?
2For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God.
3For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”
4Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt.
5But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness,
I Is faith work or merit?
II What is faith?
III What is imputed in justification
Westminster Shorter Catechism
- What is justification?
Justification is an act of God’s free grace, wherein He pardoneth all
our sins, and accepteth us as righteous in His sight, only for the
righteousness of Christ imputed to us, and received by faith alone.
Westminster Confession of Faith Chapter 11: Of Justification
11.1. Those whom God effectually calls, He also freely justifies;
not by infusing righteousness into them, but by pardoning their sins,
and by accounting and accepting their persons as righteous;
not for any thing wrought in them, or done by them,
but for Christ’s sake alone;
nor by imputing faith itself, the act of believing, or any other
evangelical obedience to them, as their righteousness;
but by imputing the obedience and satisfaction of Christ unto them,
they receiving and resting on Him and His righteousness by faith;
which faith they have not of themselves, it is the gift of God.
11.2. Faith, thus receiving and resting on Christ and His righteousness,
is the alone instrument of justification: yet is it not alone in the
person justified, but is ever accompanied with all other saving graces,
and is no dead faith, but works by love.