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Commentaries
English
Romans
  
c) We are justified by grace and not by the Law
(Romans 4:13-18)
13It was not through law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith.14For if those who live by law are heirs, faith has no value and the promise is worthless,15because law brings wrath. And where there is no law there is no transgression.16Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham's offspring-not only to those who are of the law but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all.17As it is written: "I have made you a father of many nations." He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed-the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were.18Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, "So shall your offspring be." When he had denounced the false trust of the Jews in circumcision, Paul destroyed the second support of their imaginary righteousness, which was their reliance on the Law.


The people of the wilderness thought that God sat on the tablets of the covenant, from which he revealed himself, and reigned over the worlds. They hoped that God would stay with them as long as they obeyed the Law with its many decrees. However, they did not recognize their horrible sin, nor did they feel the great love of God to all men. They became servants of the Law. Their hearts turned into stone, and they boasted blindly. They saw neither the anger of God on them, nor recognized Christ who lived among them.
Woe to the church, or community, which is strenuous in the observation of customs, prohibitions, and judgments, rather than the simple faith in the living Christ! He who is weak in faith is better than an unloving lawyer. It is a great mystery that laws produce anger, incite transgression, and bring punishments. This is why prudent educators put only a few terms and stipulations in their houses and schools, for Christ has consecrated us to love, trust, patience, and forgiveness, and not to the enslavement to laws and regulations, to their strict interpretation, and to their severe punishments.
Paul confirmed to the lawyers, once again, that Abraham was justified through faith, long before Moses came with the law. Thus, Abraham trusted God before the law was given. The Commandments came later to guide the believers, and break their pride. Faith in God’s mercy is the true power, which builds spiritual life, encourages the believer to serve God, and prompts him to good works; whereas the law besieges, condemns, punishes, and kills us.
Abraham, then, did not look at his conduct, and his observation of the law, but looked only at the promise of God, and trusted his Lord. He became the example and spiritual father to all believers. Having believed the promise that in him all nations would be blessed, though he had no child yet, Abraham gained so many nations and peoples through his faith that Paul called him, “the heir of the world”.
In this manner, the Holy Spirit initiated in Abraham, the simple Bedouin, the plan of blessing in which Christ himself dwelt, drawing to him all those who were justified by faith.
Abraham probably excelled over most of the personalities of the Old Testament because of his great faith. God promised that in his seed he would bless all the peoples of the world, meaning by his seed, Christ himself. The Hebrew word “seed” is used to denote an individual, and the apostle affirms that there was special reference to Christ in the promise made to Abraham. Thus, those who are justified by the Crucified will inherit heaven with all its treasures because their trust in Christ has united them with the life, power, and blessings of God.
Come to the Savior that you may rise from your death. If you continue in his word, the Holy Spirit will create a new life in you and your surroundings. If there is faith in the promise of God in your church or community, this faith will overcome death in sins, and establish something new which was not found before, because God creates and works through your faith, and he hears the cry of your trust. Your acceptance of his word changes you, as well as the world.

Prayer
O heavenly Father, Our minds are narrow, legalistic, and inclined to judge and condemn others. Make room for an entire believing confidence and implicit faith in our hearts, and let your Holy Spirit consecrate us to love, courage, and revival, that those who are dead in sins may rise, and your praise may abound in our nation. Create your faith in us that you may be able to do your saving work through us.
Question
Why do we receive God’s blessing through our faith in God’s promises, and not through our observation of the Law?