The Works Of The Flesh (Romans 4:1-8)

"What then shall we say that Abraham our father has found according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works (of the flesh), he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? 'Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.' Now to him who works (according to the flesh), the wages are not counted as (or according to) grace but as (or according to) debt."

"But to him who does not work (according to the flesh) but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness, just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works (of the flesh):

              'Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, 

              and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man to whom

              the Lord does not impute sin.' "

              (Psalm 32:1,2)

Paul calls Abraham "the father of us all" (as it is written, 'I have made you a father of many nations' [Genesis 17:5]). Yet we know that he went into Hagar, by the encouragement of Sarah, from whom the heir was supposed to come. Ishmael was conceived. Abraham repented and finished the course: Isaac was conceived through Sarah as God had spoken.

What do we find according to (agreeing with; corresponding to; adapting to) the works of the flesh? Debt, not grace!

"Now it was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him, but also for us. It shall be imputed to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead, who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification." (Romans 4:23-25)

Just as Abraham became "fully convinced", so may we in hope believing!