Just as we saw in chapters 1 – 3, that all the world is guilty before God, regardless of whether it is pagan man, moral man, or religious man, chapters 4 and 5 reveal that faith is essence of being justified by God:
Romans 5:1-5: Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
Once again, Abraham is our example, as a Gentile believing God’s word and it being counted unto him for righteousness — Genesis 15:6: And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.; Romans 4:9-10: Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness. How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision. Colossians 2:9-17 is a great companion scripture that reveals the “operation of God” in the heart of a person at salvation, circumcising the heart.
So, we have had three chapters revealing humanity’s sinful condition, and two chapters describing the faith that saves us. Next Sunday we will look at chapters 6 and 7, and the issue of sin after we have been declared righteous.