FOR OUR SAKE ALSO

Romans 4:23-25 Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; but for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on Him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

Although much heritage and tradition came from him, Abraham, himself, was called a Hebrew (14:13), but was never referred to as Jewish. Abraham, as well as his son, Isaac, had other descendents that were not specifically referred to as Jews. Jacob, the grandson of Abraham, was the beginning of the Jewish nation, as it was scripturally known. Israel was the name given to Jacob by an angel of the Lord, and, from this name the Jewish nation was referred to as Israelites. If we classify all people of the earth at that time as either Jew or Gentile, then we can say that, by faith, Abraham was justified as a Jew, as explained in the first part of this chapter, while he was a Gentile.

Our lesson text begins by saying that it (justification by faith in God) was not written for his (Abraham's) sake alone ...but for us also. The biblical preservation of the faith of Abraham served a greater purpose than the mere recording of an historical event. It was written as an example of faith for Paul to use in this epistle to the Christians at Rome. Also, it was written as an example of faith for you and I to read, understand, and apply to our lives. Notice how Paul relied on Old Testament scriptures for examples to use in teaching the word of God to others. Referring to the sinfulness of the Israelites, Paul wrote to the church at Corinth, Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come (1 Cor. 10:11). Later on, in his Roman letter, Paul says this about the benefit of the Old Testament to New Testament Christians:For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope (Rom. 15:4). What a wonderful source of knowledge and edification is found throughout the Old Testament, which serve as examples to all Christians today.

The verses in the lesson text tell us that if we have faith in God, as did His servant Abraham, that we can enjoy the same justification imputed to us that was counted to Abraham by God. Abraham was justified, not only because of his faith in God, but the fact that he trusted in Him enough to do the things that God told him to do - Abraham obeyed the will of God. Our justification with God has qualifications also. For God to impute righteousness to us (to consider us to be without sin), the lesson text tells us that our justification to God can be found only in His Son, Jesus Christ. We must believe that Jesus was God's pure, sacrificial lamb who was delivered for our offences. We must also believe that Christ's death on the cross of Calvary was the will of God, and that it served as redemption for the sins of the world. We must believe that God raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead. We must believe this to be God's plan of salvation carried out for our justification.And we must believe it to the extent that we will, as did Abraham, faithfully, and obediently carry out God's commandments.

Indeed, we know from these scriptures that Abraham's justification came through faith in God. Being justified, God imputed, or counted Abraham as righteous, thus, reconciling Abraham to Himself. Can we say, then, that Abraham was saved by faith? Yes, but not by faith alone. Abraham's faith was an active faith, a faith that resulted in obedient actions - works of faith. Just how faith saves is plainly established by James, who wrote this about the faith of Abraham:Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works, was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only (James 2:21-24).

Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call (Acts 2:38-39). The promise of salvation to all nations of the world, through Jesus Christ, the Seed of Abraham, is here fulfilled. May your faith be strong enough to accept it, believe it, and obey it. God called Abraham for this mission. By works (obedience) he demonstrated his faith in God. This is written for our sakes also. The call of salvation is for all!