Moving On To Chapter Four

We had a great discussion this passed Sunday. We missed you guys that couldn't be there. But now we are going to move on to Chapter four.

As you are reading through this chapter, take note that according to my Greek New Testament, the paragraph break is between verses 12&13. The NIV puts new paragraphs at verses 4, 9, 13, 16 & 18. Please remember that it is the words that are inspired and not the punctuation.

The main point is that Abraham is not the father of just the righteous Jews, but also of the righteous gentiles. Paul is using Abraham as a case study to prove that salvation is not of works but of faith.

There were three things that the Jews were very proud of: 1.Abraham as father 2. circumcision 3. their religious system. Paul is demonstrating that it was not Abraham's circumcision, nor his religious system that justified him before God. It was his faith.

Here is the thing. All religious systems are works based. [True Christianity is not a religion. It is a relationship.] God is not calling anyone to religion. He is calling us to a relationship with Him. As has been revealed, this relationship can only be gained and maintained through faith. It is also VERY EASY for us in the church, even the true church, to drift away from relationship and shipwreck ourselves on the rocks of religion. We begin to focus on what we are doing, instead of for whom we are doing. As soon as our eyes get off of God, He gets small and we get big.

Look at what Paul says in verse 4. A works based religion puts you in the driver's seat. It puts God in a place of owing you something. God is never our debtor, but we continue to be His.

Furthermore, works religion makes us the goal. It is focused on what we do and the one that does the most and the best wins. Therefore, someone could say, "You need to be like me." But we are not the goal. Jesus Christ is the goal. Our job as missionaries, and we are all missionaries, whether we walk across the street or fly across an ocean, is not to make people that look like us, but people that look like Jesus.

Your thoughts please;

Ed<><