Lesson 383 - Junior

Memory Verse

"Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered"  (Romans 4:7).

Notes

A Letter

The Book of Romans is a letter written by Paul to Christians who were living in the city of Rome. He wrote to them about salvation, the new birth (being born again), which is the first step in being a follower of Jesus. Often today we hear sermons about salvation. They are helpful to all who hear them. Those who are saved receive instruction to tell about salvation. Those who are not saved learn how to be saved, and are encouraged to be saved.

The Just

Paul quoted the Prophet Habakkuk, saying, "The just shall live by faith" [ROM:1:17]). The "just" are those who are justified and righteous. To be justified means to be free from guilt. It is another name for being saved. One must have faith in order to be saved. The just must have faith in order to be kept by the power of God.

An Example

Abraham is an example of one who was justified by faith -" who was saved because he had faith. The Jews all refer to Abraham as their father. It was he whom God called from the land of Ur of the Chaldees to go to the Land of Canaan [GEN:11:31]). With that call came the wonderful promise that God would make a nation of him. God said that in Abraham "all families of the earth" would be blessed. This was a covenant or agreement between God and Abraham.

To Canaan

Abraham obeyed God, and started with his family to Canaan, the land of promise. Abraham kept his part of the agreement with God when he went to Canaan. But for many years afterwards, he did not see the fulfilment of God's promise. Abraham believed God and had faith in Him. Abraham was obedient to God and that helped his faith.

Believing God

When a sinner goes to the altar to pray, he admits his wrong, repents of his sins, and asks for pardon. When he believes God and the promises of God, he is saved. Another person can be sorry for his sins and ask forgiveness, but unless he has faith in God he will not be saved.

Faith in God

Here are some portions of Scripture, which show us that we must have faith in God. "But without faith it is impossible to please him [God]: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him" [HEB:11:6]). "And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive" [MAT:21:22]).

As the Stars

After Abraham had been in the Land of Canaan for some time, God appeared to him. Abraham reminded God of His promise, and told Him that he had no children. Maybe Abraham wondered how he would become a whole nation. God renewed His promise. He told Abraham to look at the stars and see if he could count them. Then the Lord said that Abraham's family would be as numerous as the stars. God promised Abraham a son. Abraham "believe in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness" [GEN:15:6]).

Able to Do

Many years passed but Abraham "was strong in faith, giving glory to God." Abraham knew that God was able to do what He had promised. How wonderful to have that confidence in God! As we read about Abraham and his faith in God it should help us to believe God's promises. Satan tells some people that God will not save them, that their sins are too great. That is not true. The Lord said, "Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out" [JHN:6:37]). In the Proverbs is a promise of mercy: "He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy" [PRO:28:13]). In the Psalms we read that God will save those who have a "contrite" or repenting spirit [PS:34:18]). It may seem impossible that God would "remember no more" one's sins [HEB:8:12]) and that He would remove one's transgressions "as far as the east is from the west" [PS:103:12]), but God does it for those who believe. What God has promised He is able to do.

The Son of Promise

At a time in their life when it seemed impossible, God sent Abraham and his wife a son, after they had waited 25 years. Isaac was the son of promise. In this way, God began to fulfil His part of the agreement that He had made with Abraham. Through this one son God brought about the great nation, which God had promised Abraham. Although Abraham did not live to see that nation, he believed God. Abraham lived to be 175 years old. He was still living when his twin grandsons were born.

Jesus, the Messiah

One of those boys, Jacob, became the father of 12 sons [GEN:35:22]). The families of these sons became the Children of Israel -" God's chosen people, the Jews. Many years later, among these people of the tribe of Judah of the house of David, Jesus was born -" Jesus, the Saviour in whom all nations would be blessed!

Abraham was not living at the time Jesus was on earth. But by faith Abraham looked forward to the time when Jesus should die on the cross.

Purchased

Jesus took our place, and suffered for our sins. He shed His Blood to pay the price, which purchased our salvation. A pardon is given to those who have faith in Jesus and who believe in Him. Their sins are blotted out and righteousness is put in the place of their sins.

Not Works

Abraham did not buy his righteousness. Neither can a person today use a sun of money to buy salvation. Jesus paid the price. Through faith in His shed Blood our sins are blotted out.

Abraham did not work many years to receive righteousness, as one receives wages. If he had, Abraham would have been able to boast, of what he had done. But "Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteous-ness."

Abraham is the father of faith -" "the father of all them that believe." Those who are saved are the children of Abraham [GAL:3:7]). Those who belong to Christ are the seed of Abraham and "heirs according to the promise" [GAL:3:29]). As Abraham had faith, so must we have faith in order to have our sins taken away.

Abraham's family did not inherit righteousness. It was not an inheritance of the Law. "God gave it to Abraham by promise" [GAL:3:18]). Each person, individually, had to have faith in order to be saved and to receive righteousness. David knew about it and experienced it. David said, "Blessed [happy] is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered" [PS:32:1]). That is the way you can be happy, too "- by having your sins covered with Jesus' Blood. Have faith in the Lord!

Questions

 

1. Who wrote the Book of Romans?

2. To whom was it written?

3. What man did God call out of the land of Ur of the Chaldees?

4. What blessing did God promise Abraham?

5. How long did Abraham wait for the son of promise?

6. How did Jesus bring a blessing to all nations?

7. What counted as righteousness for Abraham?

8. How can one be saved today?

9. Who can be saved today?

10. Who is the father of faith?