INTRODUCTION: What gives you confidence that you’re right with God? Is it your good deeds, church attendance, or moral efforts? The apostle Paul shatters the illusion of self-righteousness in Romans and calls us to something far better, justification by faith. This doctrine lies at the heart of the gospel and is the very foundation of our assurance, peace, and eternal hope.

Today, we’ll look at three powerful truths from Romans 4 and 5 that show us how righteousness is not earned but received through faith in Jesus Christ. Let’s get rooted in the reality that we are justified by faith!

I. FAITH, NOT WORKS, IS THE PATH TO RIGHTEOUSNESS

a. We are not declared righteous for what we DO. We are declared RIGHTEOUS for what we BELIEVE.

i. Romans 4:20–22 “20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; 21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. 22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.”

b. Abraham was not declared RIGHTEOUS because of what he DID, but because of what he BELIEVED.

II. FAITH BRINGS PEACE AND ACCESS TO GOD

a. SIN shuts us off from GOD. It denied us ACCESS to HIM.

i. Romans 5:1–2 “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

b. Because we are justified by faith, we are no longer enemies of God (Romans 5:10) but reconciled.

III. FAITH STRENGTHENS OUR HOPE IN GOD’S PROMISES

a. FAITH is the KEY.

b. You say, “PREACHER, there are times my FAITH is SUSPECT. There are times when my FAITH is WEAK. There are times when my FAITH is hanging on by a THREAD.”

i. Romans 4:20–21 “He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith...”

c. Abraham’s FAITH wasn’t PERFECT, but it was PERSISTENT.