I. JUSTIFICATION OF ABRAHAM AS AN EXAMPLE (1-8) A. HOW ABRAHAM WAS JUSTIFIED (1-5) 1. If by works, then he could boast (1-2) 2. The Scriptures reveal it was by his faith in God (3) a. One who trusts in works, seeks God's debt, not His grace (4) b. But when one trusts in God to justify him, such faith is counted for righteousness (5)
Faith is a gift of God is it not?
Rom 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think [of himself] more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God:
Eph 6:23 Peace [be] to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Hbr 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
The ability to believe in faith is a gift of God
Phl 1:29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;
It is a gift of the Holy Spirit
1Cr 12:9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
Believing is an act of God
Act 11:21 And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.
1Cr 2:5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
Jesse Abraham was elect of God. Not based on his own merits..he was elected by the good pleasure of God. The faith that Abramn was not the cause of His election..His election was the cause of his faith
Phl 3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: