Living Room Study

Romans 4

“Now to the one who works, pay is not considered as a gift, but as something owed.  But to the one who does not work, but believes on Him who declares righteous the ungodly, his faith is credited for righteousness.”  Romans 4:4-5

Let’s say you’re in a little debt and you need to make some extra money to get straight. You decide to get an extra job, digging ditches. Someone’s gotta do it. So you’re in the hot sun every weekend, just digging away. On payday, the foreman strolls by, hands you an envelope and says, “Here’s a gift.”

“WAIT A MINUTE!”, you retort. “I’ve been working hard for two weeks. That money is not a gift; I’ve earned it!”

If you have a debt that you can pay-off, you should work hard and pay it off. Furthermore, you have earned your wages.

Have you ever felt cheated by God? Ever think He misappropriates your “good works” as His “gift” of salvation? Do you want an accounting of all your good works, so as to put God’s character on trial?

The Bible gives us our accounting: “There is no one righteous, not even one”  Romans 3:10

Now, suppose you’re in so much debt, you couldn’t possibly pay it off. Your grandkids will still be paying your debt long after you’re dead! One day, the person you owe tells you he wants to cancel your debt. All you have to do is have faith he’ll do it. You tell him you believe him, so he transfers the money into your account.

Later, you overhear that person needs some ditches dug around his property. In response to what he’s done for you, paying a debt you couldn’t afford, you commit your life to working for him. Not out of obligation, to pay him back. That’s impossible. You work voluntarily, out of thankfulness. The great thing is, his support is better than the wages you’d earn anywhere else.

People who don’t realize the enormity of their sin debt believe they can pay the debt, themselves. They think much of themselves and less of God. True believers in Jesus see their debt to God as un-payable. Their works are out of gratitude for His canceling their debt.

“For the wages of sin is death, the the free gift of God is eternal life in Mesiah Jesus our Lord.”  Romans 6:23

Blessings.

Steve Wiggins