Romans 4:5 – God justifies the irreverent

Yet to him who is not working, yet is believing on Him Who is justifying the irreverent, his faith is reckoned for righteousness.

Abram received the promise that his offspring would be like the stars of heaven. Abram did not have to fulfill an assignment. Nothing was asked of him. Abram merely heard a statement of what God would do. And Abram agreed. That was not an achievement. To the extent that something had to be done, that obligation laid entirely with God, who had indeed promised. Abram knew that he himself was unable to produce offspring with his wife Sara. But he was confident that God is able to fulfill what He promises. And precisely that faith God reckons for righteousness. The confidence that my faith is irrelevant but that everything depends on God who promises for free. That is GOD trust.

That is why Paul formulates it so extremely: the one who is believing on Him who is justifying the irreverent, his faith is reckoned as righteousness. Does God then justify the irreverent? Yes, all of them! As Paul wrote (3: 23,24): “For ALL sinned and (all) are wanting of  the glory of God, and (all) are being justified gratuitously, in his grace …”!

Delen: