Not Ashamed (Week 10) Romans 4:1-8 “The Testimony of Two Witnesses”
Introduction
“Abraham believed The LORD, and He credited it to him as righteousness.”
Genesis 15:6
In Jewish Law, a testimony was only considered valid, if it was given by at least two witnesses
(Deuteronomy 17:6). As Paul lays out his defense of “salvation by grace through faith”, he calls to the
stand two of the greatest “witnesses” from Israel’s history to prove his point, that no one can justify
himself by his works. Apart from God’s redeeming grace, no one can be saved. And this marvelous
grace can only be received BY FAITH. This is the central message of Romans and even Christianity
itself, and it stands in contrast with every other religion on the face of this earth. All others beliefs center
around man’s ability to earn favor with God. But Christianity teaches us, that in order to be saved, every
man must first admit that he simply cannot save himself.
If ever there was a person in all of Israel, who would be considered worthy of good standing in the
eyes of God, it would be Father Abraham. After all, it was he who left everything to follow God and
received the promise of becoming a great nation.
(Deuteronomy 17:6). As Paul lays out his defense of “salvation by grace through faith”, he calls to the
stand two of the greatest “witnesses” from Israel’s history to prove his point, that no one can justify
himself by his works. Apart from God’s redeeming grace, no one can be saved. And this marvelous
grace can only be received BY FAITH. This is the central message of Romans and even Christianity
itself, and it stands in contrast with every other religion on the face of this earth. All others beliefs center
around man’s ability to earn favor with God. But Christianity teaches us, that in order to be saved, every
man must first admit that he simply cannot save himself.
If ever there was a person in all of Israel, who would be considered worthy of good standing in the
eyes of God, it would be Father Abraham. After all, it was he who left everything to follow God and
received the promise of becoming a great nation.
…“Go out from your land, your relatives, and your father’s house to the land that I
will show you. I will make you into a great nation, I will bless you, I will make your
name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, I will curse
anyone who treats you with contempt, and all the peoples on earth will be blessed
through you.” Genesis 12:1-3