Can anybody help me understand this verse for some reason I dont seem to get it?

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wanting2believe

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4 Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. 5 However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness.

romans 4: 4-5

thank you and may God Bless You

Uriel
 
In the context of the entire chapter, it's saying that if we could earn righteousness by our own works, it would not be a gift. But, because we are made righteous by the work of Christ alone, it is not something we earned. It is a gift. :)

You're doing great! :)
 
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Thanks Julliana :)
but what exactly does this part mean? I think it means that by our actions its not what counts but if you trust God and then it goes blank.. does it mean that we need to trust God with other sinners???

"However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness"

Thank you and God bless
Uriel
 
I think it is what Jullianna said, that no one can be justified by works. It is important to trust God with other sinners, yes, but this verse doesn't mean that we do nothing in the realm of letting them know Christ loves them and being salt and light in the world. Is this the kind of clarification you were looking for here?
 
wanting2believe said:
4 Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. 5 However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness.

romans 4: 4-5

thank you and may God Bless You

Uriel
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i believe it reveals the heart of someone who is praying. one believes that they are righteous and DESERVE to be given good things from GOd. the other recognizes that they are sinners and ungodly and fall short of what is expected and by faith believes that God's love and mercy will justify them because Jesus is Savior not because they deserve it. they have humble and contrite hearts, they are thankful for what God gives them while the other is prideful and still believes that GOD OWES them wages.

Luke 18


9 Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ 13 And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
 
Uriel, the bottom line of why man fell was because man chose to believe the serpent rather than God right, and rebelled? :( But, Abraham did the opposite. He BELIEVED God and took Him at His Word that Abraham could trust God with all that he was, and that God would provide the sacrifice to coverAbraham's sin. His righteousness came from God by faith/believing, not by earning it.

That's what we are still doing today. We are believing that God is Who He says He is and that He has done and will do everything He says He will do in our lives through Christ.

We can never be GOOD enough to "deserve" salvation. We can never work hard enough to earn it.

We come to Him like Jesus said, as little children full of hope and faith, trusting a Holy Father Who will love, care, heal, protect, teach, correct and save us.

I know from our conversation earlier that you are still struggling, but hang on. :) Your faith will grow as your knowledge of the scripture grows, as your communication with Him grows and as you see His hand working in your life. I've already seen it since you first started coming here. :)

It won't be a bed of roses. Jesus warned us that it would be tough. But He also said He'd be right there with us through it all. :)
 
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You have to be cautious taking a line or two out of scripture and looking for meaning. Often meaning is found in the context of the full paragraph, or chapter. Once you take things out of their context the meaning may change, or be more easily twisted. So when a line or two comes up confusing, don't cut them out and focus on them only, but read before and after to get what is the overall message. Not every sentence of scripture is written with the intent to pull it out its context and meant to mean something.
 
:) Totally agree, Ugly, that's why I went back and read the whole chapter before answering the first question.

Uriel is just beginning his Bible reading and he's beginning in Romans. He's studying this chapter now, so he actually is reading it all in context.
 
thank you guys and yes I know that over all what it ment but ananda clarified even better :) thanks you guy. It was just that little part that was throwing me off and I just wanted to know God bles.
Uriel
 
Jullianna said:
Uriel, the bottom line of why man fell was because man chose to believe the serpent rather than God right, and rebelled? :( But, Abraham did the opposite. He BELIEVED God and took Him at His Word that Abraham could trust God with all that he was, and that God would provide the sacrifice to coverAbraham's sin. His righteousness came from God by faith/believing, not by earning it.

That's what we are still doing today. We are believing that God is Who He says He is and that He has done and will do everything He says He will do in our lives through Christ.

We can never be GOOD enough to "deserve" salvation. We can never work hard enough to earn it.

We come to Him like Jesus said, as little children full of hope and faith, trusting a Holy Father Who will love, care, heal, protect, teach, correct and save us.

I know from our conversation earlier that you are still struggling, but hang on. :) Your faith will grow as your knowledge of the scripture grows, as your communication with Him grows and as you see His hand working in your life. I've already seen it since you first started coming here. :)

It won't be a bed of roses. Jesus warned us that it would be tough. But He also said He'd be right there with us through it all. :)
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Amen, Jullianna. :) And Wanting2believe, keep up the studying!! :)

Though one thing about beds of roses....roses have thorns ;) though I know what you mean and I agree...life ain't gonna be easy!! But thank God that He is with us!

...In this life you will have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.

(John 16:33 NASB)
 
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