•          Faith and Law Not Compatible – “Paul undertakes to prove that the two methods—law and faith—are not only different but mutually exclusive . . . if the law is necessary, faith is irrelevant; but if faith is sufficient, the law is superfluous.”[1] 

•          Martin Luther: “The glory of the whole kingdom of Christ has been transferred to us.  Therefore all laws are completely abrogated in the heart and conscience of the Christian, even though they still remain outwardly in the flesh.”[2]

•          Calvin’s Three Uses of the Law – [The first use of the Law is to] “admonish each one of his own unrighteousness . . . [the second use is to hinder those who do evil] . . . For this constrained righteousness is necessary to the community of men, for the tranquility which our Savior provides . . . [the third use of the Law is that ] “. . .  by frequent meditation upon it he will be quickened in obedience to God and confirmed in it and restrained from his faults.”[3]

•          Faith [vis-à-vis Law] – Faith is “. . .  our timid but at the same time audacious yes which is nothing but God subduing us so that we simply are unable to flee . . . the legal, moralistic aspect of the relationship to God [based on Law] has disappeared, but the commandments of God . . . have validity, and appear in reality more clearly and sharply in that relationship to God where his love reigns supreme.”[4]

 

•          What does it matter to you—practically or emotionally—whether a right relationship with God is a gift to be received or a prize to be earned?

•          Where in your life could you learn from Abraham’s faith vis-à-vis work? 

•          What “qualifications” appear to make Abraham an example of righteousness?

•          In what family legacy can we share? 

 

•          Describe a relationship you have enjoyed with a friend over the years

•          Suggest the qualities that sustain and nourish such relationships

•          Can you recall a story—personal or public domain—that describes a performance-based relationship?

•          Any movie or sitcom that delineates such a relationship?

•          Move to the discussion about relationships to the passage in Romans 4

•          Suggest the way that this passage can enable us to enjoy relationship holistically with God, based on trust and grace and not performance

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[1] The Interpreter’s Bible (New York: Abingdon/Cokesbury Press, 1954), page 444.

[2] Martin Luther commenting on Romans 4:13 in his earlier work, Lectures on Galatians 1535 (St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1963), page 358.

[3] Francois Wendel, Calvin (Durham, North Carolina: The Labyrinth Press, 1986), page 200.

[4] Gustaf Aulen, The Faith of the Christian Church (Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1960), page 37.