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

Summary In this sermon, Dr. Michael Easley teaches from Romans 4 to remind us that salvation is never earned by works, signs, or laws—it is given by God through faith. Paul confronts Jewish objections that Abraham’s righteousness depended on circumcision or the Mosaic Law. Instead, Paul demonstrates that Abraham was justified long before receiving any outward sign. This truth is foundational: righteousness comes only by faith, not through religious rituals or lineage. Paul explains that the law was never meant to save but to expose our sin and reveal our need for grace. God’s grace is His undeserved favor toward us even when we deserve His wrath. Abraham believed God’s promise, and that faith—not his works—was credited to him as righteousness (Genesis 15:6). For believers today, this means we can trust God’s promises fully. Our salvation rests not on fragile human performance but on the solid foundation of Christ’s finished work. Like Abraham, we are called to walk in faith—not to crawl across life’s “ice” with fear, but to trust the One who secures our steps. 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. Click here for other Michael Easley Sermons.