The first nine verses of Romans 4 are some of the most comforting words that have ever been written, that is, to those who understand their true meaning. Sadly, they are also a source of false security for those who misunderstand them.  Some take Paul to mean that we are saved by faith alone, apart from obedience to God.  If that is what Paul was teaching, he often contradicted himself in the book of Romans by emphasizing the significance of obedience. For instance, he was specific about the time we were set free in Christ.

Romans 6:17-18 (KJV)
¹⁷  But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. ¹⁸  Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

When were we set free from sin?  We do not have to guess about it.  Paul said, “being then made free from sin.”   Paul was referring to the time when we obeyed from the heart the form of doctrine that was taught by inspired men.  That form of doctrine is the gospel of Christ which Paul called the power of salvation in Romans 1:16.  To be saved that gospel must be obeyed.

We do not need to resort to false hope to be encouraged by the words of Paul in Romans 4 because they are full of comfort all by themselves.  What is Paul teaching us in this great passage?  He is teaching us that we can be justified despite our imperfections.

The key to Romans 4 is understanding what Paul meant by works.  The first hint to what he is referring to is seen in what these works would allow us to do.  Paul said that if Abraham were justified by works, he could boast (ver. 2).  So, whatever would give us bragging rights, as far as righteousness is concerned, is what works stands for in this passage.   Now, what can we do that would give us the right to boast about our justification?

One thing that would not give us the right to boast is obedience.  Does anyone really believe that Paul would say that we can brag before God just because we decide to do what He commands us to do?  God, Who is sovereign over all, deserves our obedience, and all who refuse to do so will be punished with everlasting destruction (2 Thessalonians 1:8-9).  This being the case, Paul could not be referring to obedience in the context of Romans 4.

There is only one thing that would give a person the right to boast about justification before God and that is a life of sinlessness.  That is what works stands for in Romans 4.  Paul was contrasting being justified by faith and being saved by works of the law.  That is the contrast that Paul makes throughout this epistle.

Romans 3:27-28 (ESV)
²⁷  Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith. ²⁸  For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.

This is glorious news for us all.  The fact that we are saved by faith rather than by the perfect living that the law demands, is the only thing that makes salvation attainable and sustainable.  This was only made possible by the grace of God.  He had to sacrifice His Son to supply a propitiation for our sins (Romans 3:24-25).  Now we can be justified despite the sins we commit from time to time.  Paul, quoting David, describes this as blessedness (Romans 4:6-8).

We are blessed, not because we have never sinned, but because our sins are not counted against us.  Why not?  Because we have believed in Jesus and are justified by faith.

As you wind down for the night, think about these things