Romans #6, 1:6-7

Romans 22

The Book of Inheritance

Brian Kocourek

ROMANS 4:1 ¶ What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? 4:2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath [whereof] to glory; but not before God. 4:3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. 4:4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. 4:6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, 4:7 [Saying], Blessed [are] they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. 4:8 Blessed [is] the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin. (This word impute is a Greek word, LOGIZOMAI which comes from the root word LOGOS and combined with the suffix MAI means to impute, or to number, or account as we see in verse 3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness, Again in verse 4 Paul uses the same word as to reckon, Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. In other words, to take into account, or put into one’s account. Therefore, this word LOGIZOMAI has to do with keeping score. And in this case, we are talking about a tally sheet, your tally sheet on the great book of God. and your book shows no outstanding debt, but everything is accounted for and the price has been paid.

He paid a debt He did not owe, I owed a debt I could not pay, Christ Jesus paid the debt that I could never pay. And how does this come? By Grace and not by what you have done. For Paul said, Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt Now, hold this thought in your mind for a few minutes and we will get back to it again.

4:9 ¶ [Cometh] this blessedness then upon the circumcision [only], or upon the uncircumcision also? Now, remember, circumcision is a cutting of the excess flesh, therefore, he is saying, Does this blessedness come only to those who have already cut off the world and the things of the world? Or is He saying, this blessedness comes to those even before they have cut off the world and the things of the world? Now, here is the statement. Here is the thought that Paul lays out for us.....

“ for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.” we know that Faith was reckoned, it was imputed, it was tallied up and placed on Abraham’s great account in God’s Book. But then Paul tells us this, but he doesn’t stop there. He then goes on to ask the question... 4:10 How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? In other words, when? At what point was it placed on the great ledger sheet of God that Abraham was considered rightly-wise?. At what point in Abraham’s life was he finally credited with Faith, which is a revelation? and Paul answers that question, here.

“Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.” In other words, the credit was placed in his account even before, he was circumcised, even before he did one act in his flesh which showed that he recognized God’s covenant with Him. Now, why is Paul dealing with the act of circumcision here? Because the circumcision is an act in the flesh that visibly and outwardly shows a cutting off of the excess flesh, or a cutting oneself off from the world and the cares of the world. And Paul is telling us by this that even before Abraham did one thing in his flesh as an act or as a work in his flesh, his account was already given credit.

4:11 And he received the sign of circumcision, which was a seal of the righteousness faith (revelation) which [he had yet] being uncircumcised, (before he did any act that showed an outward response to God): that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:

Now, what Paul is teaching us here, is that Abraham was given credit in his account. He was given credit by God, and that credit was a thing called righteousness, which we know to be a right-wise-ness, or a state of the mind and heart. And this right-wise-ness was given to him before he did one thing in response to God’s promise. Therefore, when Abraham did respond to God, his circumcision was in response to this rightly-wise Revelation which he had received by God’s Grace. Therefore, showing, that the act itself was not righteousness, but it was simply his reaction to a rightly wise revelation.

Now, remember a few weeks ago we showed you the difference between works and the obedience of faith. In ascertaining the difference between the two, it all came down to motive. If I know your motive for an action, then I can tell whether your action was simply in response to a revelation, which is called obedience, or whether it is mere works.

Now, works has one possible motive, and that is greed which is gain....But this desire for gain can be expressed at two opposite poles, #1) by fear, say, (the fear of retribution), which is simply a fear of loss, and the other is of debt. I say debt because that is the word Paul uses in verse 4. For Paul said, Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.

By using the word debt, Paul is letting you know that a motive of gain is being used here. If I do this, then God is in debt to me. God owes me something....or If I don’t do this, then I will be cast away, ...which is a fear of loss. Therefore, the motive is separated from the Revelation as something altogether different.

Whereas, Obedience is tied to the revelation by one thing, and that is belief in that revelation. And belief shows respect and trust. I believe and therefore I do. I trust that this is the best thing for me to do. I respect God so much that I know He would not ask me to do anything that would not work out for the best. He said, “all things work together for the good of those who love Him and are the called according to his purpose.” Therefore, it is easy for me to just let go of any thoughts that I would have that might not consider God’s best thoughts toward me and just submit my will to His will as Jesus learned to do. Therefore, the purpose of God’s revealing Himself to us is to help us come to the place where we might be able to freely submit our will to His will. Then the plan of God can proceed in our life unhindered by our own thinking. Jesus said, “I would that you would take this cup from me, That is my thoughts about it at this present moment, because I really don’t cherish the thought of suffering in that way which is so painful, Yet, I know that you have my best interest in mind, and I know that everything will work out for my own good as well as all those whom you love; therefore, Father, not my will, but Let Thine be done.” In other words, Father, I know that you have my best interest in mind, and right now, I can hardly think straight, therefore, I am submitting my will over to Your will for Thy Glory and mine.

Now, had Jesus been thinking only of Himself, or if His motives had been wrong, and remember that wrong motive is gain, what can I gain from this act in my flesh... Then he would not have submitted His will to God’s will, and the outcome would have been different. But He so loved and respected and trusted the Father to raise Him up that He went forth and submitted His own will to a higher will, and this is called the obedience of faith.

Now, so far we have established Two points here, that Paul is addressing to us in this chapter. #1) this thought of God’s great Book and in it we have either sin which is unbelief imputed or we don’t. Therefore, what we are looking at in point #1) is this... what is our account before God showing... A record full of unbelief or a record clean and without transgression and Point #2) is this, .... Our record shows our motive, and is our motive being expressed by a desire for gain, whether from a fear of loss or a greed for what is not yours to begin with, or is it showing simply a mind which has submitted itself over to a higher mind, ... a will which has recognized truly the greatness of God who is Faithful and therefore a recognition of His total ability to work everything out to His good and yours.

Now, this is where we have come thus far. Now, I would like to ad another thought here that Paul is expressing through all of this. And that is from verse 9 where he said, . 4:4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. 4:6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, 4:7 [Saying], Blessed [are] they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. 4:8 Blessed [is] the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.

Notice here, that Paul calls this imputation of righteousness a blessing from God. He says, 6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, 4:7 [Saying], Blessed [are] they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. 4:8 Blessed [is] the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.

Now, we know in Deuteronomy we have the Book of Two Laws which are Blessings and cursings. And we know that both, blessing and cursing come forth from the same Word. But our motive toward that word is what determines whether we receive the blessing from it or the curse. Now, keep this in mind as we examine further why Paul would ad this thought into his dealing with the faith issue.

Now, let’s go back to verse 11 again and pick up on Paul’s thoughts as he lays them out for us concerning the imputation of righteousness which is blessing. 4:11 And he received the sign of circumcision, which was a seal of the righteousness faith (revelation) which [he had yet] being uncircumcised, (before he did any act that showed an outward response to God, therefore, the sign of circumcision was Abraham’s response to God’s Promise): that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also: 4:12 And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcise on only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which [he had] being [yet] uncircumcised. 4:13 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, [was] not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.

Now, if you are catching what Paul is coming to a conclusion, it has to do with the inheritance. Paul is telling us that this whole account, this whole record keeping has to do with Abraham’s share of the inheritance. IN any normal situation where you have an estate that is left, the debts must first be expunged from the estate before the rest of the estate can be divvied up. And if there are debts on the books, then the wealth of the inheritance will have to first subtract that debt before any inheritance can be given out, and what is left over is what you get, if any. And Paul continues,

4:14 For if they which are of the law [be] heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect: And why is this? Because of the debt issue. And Paul says, 4:15 Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, [there is] no transgression. 4:16 Therefore [it is] of faith, that [it might be] by grace; to the end ( To what? To make sure the outcome or goal) the promise ( what Promise? He is speaking of inheritance) That it might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all, 4:17 ¶ (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, [even] God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. 4:18 Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. 4:19 And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara's womb: 4:20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; 4:21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. 4:22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. 4:23 ¶ Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; 4:24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; 4:25 Who was delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification.

Now, although we keep hearing this word promise used, it is a promise that will not only be given to Abraham but to all his seed after him. Now, if the promise is just having seed, then it would not say and to his seed after Him. Therefore, we are looking at what this promise is and Paul tells us here that it is the inheritance which is being considered in this Promise from God.

4:13 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, [was] not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. 4:14 For if they which are of the law [be] heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:

So to this point then we are looking at the first three points as they have to do with receiving the inheritance which is the promise.

#1) #1) God has on His books, our account. A full record of our debt or lack of debt.

#2) This record shows our motive, and is our motive being expressed by desire for gain, or simply a submitted will. Which is a pure motive.

#3) This submitted will is that which will receive the blessing of the inheritance. Because the blessing has to do with adding, whereas the curse has to do with taking away.

Now, this is what God is looking at in His Great Book of Life. It not only has our names on it, but it has the record of our debt as well. And God will assess our inheritance based upon what the book says. In the beginning was GOD. Seven compound redemptive names of Jehovah-Elohim + and eighth not widely used.

1. Jehovah-Jireh = The Lord will Provide for Himself a sacrifice. 2. Jehovah-Shammah = the Lord is Present 3. Jehovah -Rapha = The Lord the Healer 4. Jehovah- Nissi = the Lord our banner and refuge and protector 5. Jehovah Raah = The Lord is my Shepherd. 6. Jehovah-Shalom = The Lord is our Peace. 7. Jehovah-Tsidkenu = The Lord is our righteousness 8. Jehovah-Qadash = The Lord that sanctifieth

God, Elohim the self existent One

The Son of God - First born = 50% of inheritance_______________creation__________

Sons of God Through Adam To receive inheritance lost in garden to => Lucifer

50% of inheritance to be split between them.

Now, Jesus could never lose His portion of the birthright (His inheritance) for He could not sin, for there was no place for unbelief in Him. Remember, Satan designed Eve . Now, he did not create Eve. But after she was formed from Adam’s side, the devil got a hold of her and fashioned her. To fashion or design is not an act of creation, but simply a changing of the outer apparel and making to look new. This is what Satan did to Eve. And what was the first thing? She noticed her dress was old fashioned. And she made fig leaf clothing. Satan stole from them what had been theirs by inheritance.

Now, Jesus came to buy back that which had been stolen in the garden. Satan knowing this, offered to sell it to him for the price of worship. Satan wanted to be God, He wanted to be above all the other Sons.

Isaiah 14:12-14 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! [how] art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.

E-25 SEPARATION FROM UNBELIEF in heaven what made Lucifer jealous? He goes over in the north and puts him up a better kingdom; he wanted a bigger kingdom, more brighter, better, prettier.

376-75 Q& A Now, as I just got to basing up to this, that Lucifer in heaven tried to exalt himself and even be just a little higher than his Boss. And he betrayed Michael, and made hisself a great kingdom in the north, and come down.

E-18 SEAL OF THE ANTICHRIST The right hand man of Almighty God was Lucifer, the son of the morning. The first, God granted him almost co-workers with Him; he was a co-worker, partly equal with Him; only Satan could not create. God is the only Creator, but Satan took something that God created and perverted it back into something else, evil.

E-12 GOD’S SERVANT JOB 55-0223 God putting Satan almost co-equal with Him, Satan taking the things of God and perverted them into the evil thoughts, and through there began to pervert things into evil instead of good.

17-4 WISDOM VERSUS FAITH See? Gen 3:4-5 He's giving her a reason. "Wouldn't you like to be equal with God?" Take... In other words, "You want to really be right with God, take my advice. Listen to me; God don't mean that. That is why in This hour When God comes down with a shout, part of that shout is to make us know our inheritance..Ephesians 1: 15-20.