Hands-free narration of this study — good for the car.
Synopsis
In the final session of this part, Schofield simplifies the concept of righteousness by faith. He compares the believer's attitude to that of a little child—dependent, trustful, and ready to believe the father without question. He explains that God's word is creative; when God speaks, the word itself accomplishes the task. Just as God called the world into existence out of nothing, He calls the sinner righteous and His word produces that righteousness in them. This 'simplified' view removes the 'clogs' of human wisdom that often make the gospel seem complicated. By looking at the example of Abraham, Schofield shows that faith is simply counting God's word as a reality, even when circumstances or feelings suggest otherwise. This study concludes that we are justified by a faith that receives God's declaration as an accomplished fact.
Key points
- We must receive God's word with the simple, unmurmuring faith of a little child.
- God's word is creative and performs the very thing it says when it is received by faith.
- Faith is not an abstract feeling but the act of counting God's word as true and effective.
- Justification is God declaring the ungodly righteous and then making them so by His word.
Key texts
- Romans 4:3-25
- Romans 3:25-26
- Psalm 33:9
From the book
Chapter 6 · Romans 4 · Read this chapter
- “Wisdom, as the world considers it, can very much be a clog on the leg of a bird to stop it from flying.” (ch. 6)
- “God calls those things that are not as though they are.” (ch. 6)
- “So if I receive and believe God’s word, then it will accomplish the thing in me.” (ch. 6)
Put it into practice
- Approach God's promises with the simple, dependent mind of a child.
- Stop asking 'how' God can make you righteous and start believing 'that' He does.
- Trust that God's spoken word in the Bible has the power to change your character today.
- Comprehension
1. Why can human wisdom be a 'clog' to faith?
- Doctrinal Clarity
2. What does it mean to have a 'Samuel's mind'?
- Contrast
3. How did God create the world, and how does this relate to our righteousness?
- Scripture
4. What does God do to the 'ungodly' who believe, according to Romans 4:5?
- Comprehension
5. How does God relate to things that 'are not'?
- Scripture
6. What is the purpose of the 'propitiation' in Christ's blood?
- Doctrinal Clarity
7. What is the most 'surprising' thing about righteousness by faith?
- Application
8. When you look at your own life and see 'nothing,' how does the creative power of God's word give you hope?