Assurance Explained Series

Intro

In Romans 4, Paul uses Abraham as a model for how to be saved. He makes this statement in verse 13: “For the promise that he would be the heir of the world was not to Abraham or to his seed through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.”i The promise of being heir of the world is the promise of salvation including a future of ruling and reigning with Christ. Roman 8:16-17 assures the spiritual children of Abraham of this inheritance: “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs — heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.” God has a glorious future for all those who are declared righteous by God.ii

But this promise cannot be received by observing the law. Trying to gain righteousness by observing the law ends in condemnation rather than justification simply because of our inability to measure up to the standard. So, we receive the promise “through the righteousness of faith” (Rom. 4:13). One reason it must be that way is that “the law brings about wrath” (v. 15). It ultimately condemns the person because we all come short of its requirements.iii

In Romans 4:16 we are given another reason why justification is by faith alone: “Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be sure. . . .” In our last message, we began processing that statement. God’s way of salvation had to be based on the principle of faith, not law, so that the promise might be “according to grace.” If it is according to grace, then it comes to us a gift from God. Otherwise, we have to earn it by keeping the law, and that is impossible for us to do. If the promise depended on our performance, it would not be a secure promise. It would rest on the flimsy, faltering attempts of human effort. But if it is “according to grace,” then it depends on the omnipotent, unshakable faithfulness of God Almighty.

A SURE PROMISE

Grace is based on the goodness and benevolence of the giver, not the ability or performance of the receiver. When the giver is God, it is absolutely secure because God does not change (Mal. 3:6). “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning” (James 1:17). His favor toward you is not here one day and gone the next. His love is steadfast toward his children. A responsible father has a steadfast love for his children. But the sureness of that favor is far inferior to that of your heavenly Father.

The adjective translated “sure” in Romans 4:16 is bebaios. It means “such ideas as ‘firm,’ ‘permanent,’ ‘reliable, ‘dependable,’ and ‘steadfast.”iv The NIV translates it “guaranteed.” In fact, the nuance of the word most applicable in this text is “legally guaranteed security.”v It is guaranteed by the omnipotence of God himself. We can take much comfort in that.

Banks understand this concept well. If I sign a promissory note for one million dollars with my resources and earning power, the promise to repay is on shaky ground. That promise is not very secure. But if Elon Musk signs it and puts up his Tesla stock as security, the bank has nothing to worry about. The promise is bebaios. It is guaranteed. It is secure. If the promise is based on our performance, we have a lot to worry about. But if it rests on God’s faithfulness, it is something we can count on. God has the resources and integrity to make the promise absolutely secure (Heb. 6:13).

How many Christians live in a state of anxiety and uncertainty because they do not comprehend the significance of Romans 4:16? They try very hard to be good, but down deep they know it is not good enough. They constantly beg God for mercy. Their attention is focused on staying saved because they do not know how reliable God’s grace is. Did God extend grace, unmerited favor, to you the day you became a believer? At that time, you were a rebellious enemy; yet he mercifully saved you.vi How much more, now that you are his child.

Listen to the assurance given in Romans 5:8-11: “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. 10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.” Understanding the grace God has toward his children provides the footing we need to walk in the Spirit and war in the Spirit. “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 8:1 NIV).vii Our confidence is in his faithfulness, not our own performance.