Theological Commentary: Click Here
In Romans 4,
Paul sets straight a very old argument.
What is it that makes God’s people?
For centuries, Jews have believed that what made them God’s people was
that they received the Law. We in the
church think similar things. Some say
that we have baptism. Others talk about special
gifts from Godlike miracles or speaking in tongues. The truth is that we like to put our faith
into the evidences of our salvation.
However, let’s
go back to the example that Paul lifts up in this passage. Abraham was one of God’s people, given the
promise of God centuries prior to God giving the Law through Moses. Abraham wasn’t loved by God because of his
ability to keep the Law perfectly.
Abraham was one of God’s people because his heart was with God. It was the condition of Abraham’s heart, not
his perfection, that caught God’s eye.
The same is
true for us. Does God love us because we
perform miracles in His name, speak in tongues through His power, or even
because we are baptized in His name? Of
course not! He loved us before we did
any of those things!
The truth is
that God gave His people the Law because of His love for them. The same thing is true about us. He gives us His promise of baptism because of
His love. He gives us His gifts because
of His love. He works miracles through
us because He already loves us. All of
these things come to us as a response in love, not things we must do or have in
order to obtain His love.
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