St. Paul communicates to us in this fourth chapter that Abraham is not only the father of the Jew in leading the way to obtaining righteousness but he is the example for all circumcised and uncircumcised. The word reckon which is used over and over throughout this chapter when referring to Abraham's righteousness is the Greek word logizomai, meaning to put to ones account. When St. Paul quotes from Genesis 12 regarding Abrahams belief it was this belief given by God's grace that was put to Abrahams account and imputed righteousness to him. For Abraham this belief meant that, whatever God said He would do He would do it. The way this was carried out was that God would establish a people through Abraham and eventually bring forth the Messiah Jesus through this people called the Jews.
Does not faith and belief include the expectation of something that is not immediately visualized by the senses but acted upon by something more primal and spiritual. My point is that what led to Abraham's willingness to believe was a gift from God such as only grace could produce. Grace is a gift from God that also produces other gifts within us. The grace of being created in His image also predisposes us to His righteousness by grace. Righteousness which comes primarily from God's grace then stands alone and apart from human works. Righteousness is recognized because of works done through the effectiveness of grace, belief. Paul appears to be referring to this in verse 5 when he says, "And to one who does not work but trusts Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned righteousness." Paul also writes to the Corinthians that we become righteous through Christ Jesus. "For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God." (2 Cor. 5:21) This includes the expectation of belief that Abraham had in God to do accomplish in and through him what He wanted. To give physical and spiritual birth to a people He would call His own Jew and Gentile.
Being
created in the image of God provides us with a desire to seek Him when we don't
even know Him. This is
realized in our process of searching and seeking for who God is, and ultimately
when we establish a personal relationship with Him. Knowing that everything truly important
and eternal has been given to us is a very humbling notion. In this there can be
not greater response than to acknowledge God for who He is and honor Him for all
that we have in Him of which we do not deserve. As fellow believers
consistent with Abraham and washed in the blood of God's lamb let us truly serve
Him from this perspective of humility and thankfulness that what we have we did
not earn and with that reach out to those who need what we have been so freely
given.
O Lord Jesus Christ, give me the grace to become your true disciple. Let me see ever more clearly that faith in you is not simply a conviction of my mind-- but a call to live my life for you and with you. Your presence as Son of God is all around me... in the sacraments, in the Scripture, in the poor and suffering, in the lowly and the dying, even among your enemies where you are betrayed and crucified anew. Send your Holy Spirit to tear aside the veil of material appearances so that I may grow ever more aware of your presence all around me. Let me welcome you into the center of my poor being just as you came to the house of the publican. Let me seek and find you, recognize and serve you in all who suffer. Give me the grace, O Savior of the world, to bring your presence ever to your enemies and to persist faithfully in witnessing to them even when I find it painful to do so. Let me be inspired by your martyrs who constantly call us back to you, our only hope and salvation.
--Fr. Benedict J. Groeschel, C. F. R., Quiet Moments with Benedict Groeschel, St. Anthony Messenger Press, Cincinnati, Ohio, Pg.3
1.
Discuss what it means to have righteousness put to ones account.
2. Discuss
how one can believe or have faith in something they cannot see.
3. Discuss the idea of being created with a
predisposition toward God and how it applies to Romans 4.
Lord Christ our God, King of the ages and Creator of all, I thank You for the blessings You have granted me and for the communion of Your pure and life-giving Mysteries. I pray You, therefore, gracious Lord and Lover of mankind, guard me under Your protection and within the shadow of Your wings; and grant me with a clear conscience till my last breath worthily to partake of Your sacred Gifts for forgiveness of sins and for life eternal. For You are the Bread of Life, the Source of Holiness, the Giver of all that is good, and to You we send up the glory, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Saint Basil the Great--
--Fr. Benedict J. Groeschel, C. F. R., Praying to Our Lord Jesus Christ, Ignatius Press, San Francisco.Pg.25