How does Romans 4:6 encourage us to trust in God's grace over works? The voice of David echoing through Paul’s pen Romans 4:6: “And David speaks likewise of the blessedness of the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works.” • Paul reaches back to Psalm 32, reminding us that this “blessed” status is not a new idea; the psalmist rejoiced in it centuries earlier. • David—who knew both heroic victories and tragic failures—testifies that forgiveness and righteousness are credited, not earned. Righteousness credited, not earned • “Credits” (logizomai) is an accounting term: God places perfect righteousness in our ledger while our sin-debt is removed. • No mention of deserving, striving, or religious résumé—only God’s gracious bookkeeping. • This underscores Genesis 15:6: “Abram believed the LORD, and He credited it to him as righteousness.” Faith, not effort, unlocks the deposit. Grace that frees us from performance pressure • Ephesians 2:8-9: “For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one may boast.” • Titus 3:5: “He saved us, not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to His mercy.” • Romans 11:6: “And if it is by grace, it is no longer by works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.” —These verses reinforce that true confidence rests in what God has done, not in what we might do. Blessedness described by David Psalm 32:1-2 (quoted in Romans 4:7-8): “Blessed are they whose lawless acts are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him.” • Forgiven: the stain removed. • Covered: the shame hidden by God’s provision. • Never counted: permanent assurance, not provisional parole. Living daily in the gift • Receive continually—faith isn’t a one-time handshake but a daily reliance on credited righteousness. • Rest in freedom—no anxiety over fluctuating performance; God’s verdict is settled. • Respond with gratitude—works now flow from love, not from a need to earn. • Reflect His grace—extend the same unearned favor to others, modeling the gospel we enjoy. |
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