Useful Bible Studies > Romans Commentary > chapter 4

Whom does God help?

Romans 4:5

There is a common idea that only good people deserve God’s help. Some people try to do good things only because they want God to help them. They think that, by those good deeds, they can earn a right relationship with God. Perhaps they also believe that evil people can never receive any kindness from God.

That is not what the Bible teaches. The Bible says that everyone has done wrong and evil things (3:23). However, God wants to forgive people (Exodus 34:6-7); he even wants to forgive the most wicked people (Ezekiel 18:21-23; Ezekiel 18:27).

So, God wants to forgive us, but not as a reward for our good deeds. Rather God forgives because of his great love. Christ died for us, although we do not deserve his love (5:6-8). He suffered the punishment that we deserve because of our evil deeds (6:23).

God forgives those people who turn to him in faith. They have faith (trust) that Christ died to give them a right relationship with God. Faith means belief and trust in God. When we trust God, we are allowing him to change our lives (2 Corinthians 5:17). God wants to make us into his family; we can become his children (John 1:12; Romans 8:14-17).

However, there are some people who will not allow God to make this wonderful change in their lives. They include both some evil people, and some people who consider themselves good. There are some people who refuse to turn from their evil deeds (Ezekiel 3:19; Revelation 21:8). Also, there are some people who do not want to be humble in front of God (Luke 18:9-14). People can become so proud of their good deeds that they do not even want to accept God’s kindness. They do not want God to forgive them unless they can earn it by their own efforts; and that, of course, is impossible.

Next part: How to be truly happy and content (Romans 4:6)

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