Justification By Faith, Not By Law (Romans 4:9-16)

Michael originally taught ‘Justification By Faith, Not By Law (Romans 4:9-16)’ at Immanuel Bible Church.

Summary

In this sermon, Dr. Michael Easley teaches from Romans 4 and declares that salvation never comes through works, signs, or laws—God gives it through faith. Paul confronts Jewish objections, insisting Abraham’s righteousness never depended on circumcision or the Mosaic Law. Paul proves Abraham believed God and received justification long before he performed any outward sign. This truth anchors the gospel: righteousness rests on faith, not religious ritual or lineage.

Paul shows that the law exposes sin and reveals our need for grace rather than providing salvation. God extends grace as His undeserved favor toward sinners who deserve His wrath. Abraham believed God’s promise, and God credited that faith as righteousness (Genesis 15:6).

For believers today, this means we can trust God’s promises with confidence. Our salvation does not rely on fragile human performance but on Christ’s finished work. Like Abraham, we step forward in faith—not crawling across life’s “ice” with fear, but walking steadily because God secures our footing.

Takeaways

• Abraham was justified by faith before receiving any outward sign.
• Circumcision and law-keeping do not save—faith alone does.
• God’s promise always precedes human effort or religious ritual.
• The law reveals sin and wrath; grace provides forgiveness and life.
• Salvation is secure because it rests on God’s promise, not our performance.
• Our only response to God is trust in Christ’s finished work.

To read the book of Romans, click here.

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