Video Notes:

• Abraham according to the flesh (Jews and their lineage)
• Gained by Abraham is more directly translated “found and then lived out”
• Was Abraham justified by works? We already know the answer, but Paul is now grounding his argument about faith and works in Abraham, the father of the Jewish people. That said, the Jewish people did think Abraham could boast according to his works both in obeying the Law (even before it was given) and being willing to sacrifice Isaac.
• So, the text allows for us to say Abraham did good works, but also qualifies that statement in saying that they don’t count for anything before God. We can do that same. We can commend good works people do while also recognizing those works don’t play a role in their salvation.
• Genesis 15:6
• Counted to Him is an accounting term which we’ll talk about in a couple of days, but for this discussion what is important is that it is not earned. It is given.
• Works earn wages, not gifts. Since “counted as righteousness” is a gift term, Abraham didn’t earn his righteousness, it was given and it was given because Abraham believed.
• Why would Paul tell us not to work? Don’t we like to encourage people to work, to do good things, to obey God. Sure, but not for any credit or wage with God. If we want our wages, we have to take what we’ve earned and the wages of sin is death.
• So, the person of faith may and should do good works, but not to earn anything with God. They rely solely on the gift of God, given through faith.
• Psalm 32:1-2