Romans 4:4-8

Romans 4:4-8 Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness.  David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the one to whom God credits righteousness apart from works: “Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.  Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord will never count against them.”

After demonstrating how Abraham was saved, Paul then uses David by quoting Psalm 32:1-2.  In this Psalm, David refers to those who have their sins forgiven and covered.  It is God who forgives sin and it Jesus Christ who covers sin by his perfection and atonement on the cross of Calvary.  Here again Paul excludes all works from having any benefit in being right with God.  It is faith alone through Christ alone that saves sinners.  Works do not add to the process… it is Christ alone and not faith plus a little bit of human effort.  In later chapters, Paul will deal with Christian growth through progressive sanctification and how that is accomplished, but here the subject is being made right with God [justification].  Sinners are made Saints by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone… They do not become Saints because they no longer sin.