Faith vs Law

Sermon Text

Romans 4:13-15

13 For the promise that he would be the heir of the world was not to Abraham or to his seed through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. 14 For if those who are of the law are heirs, faith is made void and the promise made of no effect, 15 because the law brings about wrath; for where there is no law there is no transgression.

New King James Version (NKJV) Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.

Main Idea

Paul contrasts faith and the law to show that God's promises are received through faith, not by works of the law. The inheritance of God's promises comes solely by His grace through faith in Jesus Christ.

Key Points

• The Promise Comes Through Faith (Romans 4:13)

  • God's promise to Abraham was given before circumcision and before any law-keeping.

  • Abraham did not earn God's favor by obedience; he received God's promise by faith.

  • The origin of God's promises is His grace, not human merit.

  • Believers today receive God's promises in the same way—through faith alone.

• If Inheritance Came by Law, Faith Would Be Empty (Romans 4:14)

  • Paul presents a logical argument:

    • If inheritance depends on law-keeping, faith becomes meaningless.

    • Grace and works cannot both be the basis of justification.

  • Mixing works with faith corrupts the gospel just as poison contaminates pure water.

  • Faith is not another work we perform but the means by which we receive God's gift.

• The Law Produces Wrath (Romans 4:15)

  • The purpose of the law is to expose sin, not to save sinners.

  • Law establishes God's righteous standard and therefore reveals transgression.

  • Since all people break God's law, relying on it only results in condemnation.

  • The law is the wrong instrument for obtaining salvation; it points us to our need for Christ.

Gospel Application

• No one is righteous enough to earn God's promises.

• Christ alone fulfilled the law perfectly.

• Jesus bore God's wrath so believers might inherit God's promises.

• Assurance comes from resting in Christ's finished work rather than our imperfect obedience.

• Christians pursue holiness out of gratitude, not as a means of earning God's favor.

Memorable Quotes

• "The promises come by faith, but wrath comes by the law."

• "The promises' origin is not in the law but in God's grace."

• "The law cannot redeem you. The law cannot make you righteous."

• "Worthy is the Lamb."

• Why does Paul use Abraham as the primary example of justification by faith?

• What does it mean that God's promises originate in grace rather than law?

• Why would faith become "void" if inheritance depended upon works?

• How does the law expose our need for Christ?

• What is the difference between justification and sanctification?

• Why do Christians still pursue holiness if works do not save us?

• How can this passage strengthen a believer struggling with assurance?

• In what subtle ways do Christians sometimes trust in their own performance instead of Christ?

• How does understanding Christ's righteousness produce greater gratitude and obedience?

• What practical difference should this truth make in your daily walk with God?

• Faith – Trusting in Christ alone for salvation.

• Law – God's righteous commands revealing His holy standard.

• Justification – God's declaration that a sinner is righteous because of Christ.

• Grace – God's unearned favor toward sinners.

• Imputation – Christ's righteousness credited to believers, and believers' sins credited to Christ.

• Inheritance – The promised blessings of salvation and eternal life given to God's children.

• Wrath – God's holy and just judgment against sin.

• Sanctification – The lifelong work of the Holy Spirit conforming believers to Christ.

• Transgression – Crossing God's revealed law.

• Promise – God's covenant commitment fulfilled in Christ and received through faith.