The following are sermon notes from Romans Soli Deo Gloria. This is a study of the book of Romans. To read more about this series, including the introduction, download the study guide, resources and listen to audio content click here.

There is something beautiful about a wedding ring. The ring itself is not special, however, what the ring means is special. You see, the ring is merely a mark of a deep covenant between two people. The ring is the symbol that tells everyone what these two people have vowed to God and each other. It is an incredible thing!

What often goes unnoticed though, is that we all have marks just like a wedding ring that reveal different things about us. In particular, Christians have a mark that reveals who we worship and that mark is faith.

Faith Not a Work

 ”Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works..” (Romans 4:4-6).

In chapter 4 of Romans Paul continues to speak about faith and how it leads to the righteousness that only God can give us. Paul is adamant about the fact that righteousness cannot be earned, but it is gifted to us. He begins this chapter by stating that no one can boast. Why? Because no one has earned anything. I’ve said this before many times, and it bears repeating: you will not, cannot earn God’s favor, this is an impossibility. Anyone who tells you otherwise is a liar. God’s favor is given and received, not earned and paid.

Some will resist and insist that faith is a work itself. They will say that faith must start with the person’s mind and heart. Yet Paul’s argument in this text tells us that this is not true. Paul explicitly tells us that faith is not a work. Therefore, faith must not originate with man, it must begin with God. It is God who allows us to have faith, and we respond with an act of faith by placing our trust in Christ.

A follower of Jesus is marked by faith. Specifically, trust and belief that Jesus is who He said He was and He alone can save. It is our mark.

Faith Exercised

As Paul continues in Romans 4:1-12 we are reminded of how important it is for us to look at our given circumstances for occasions where we can exercise our faith and trust in Christ. The events of your life are a meaningless collection of happenings from which you can learn nothing. Every day you are presented with occasions to exercise your faith in Christ. What will you do?

Do you have faith in anything? What does that faith provide you? Do you approach your life with the willingness to learn from what happens, good or bad? Do you look for ways to exercise your faith?

What about daily stress? Do you let it frustrate you, or do you step back and ask yourself the tough questions. Questions like, how does my stress level relate to my selfish control of my life?  The point is, if you have faith in Christ, it will be tested. Have you been tested recently? Have you exercised your faith?

For more information about this series click here.

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