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Romans 4:1-5 NLT

The key to overcoming the struggle of performance-based faith is to understand that true righteousness comes from trusting what God has already done for us, not from what we do for God.  

We often have an internal drive to please others and meet their expectations.  While this drive can lead to success in some areas, too often it can affect our approach to faith, leading to a performance-based faith where we wonder, “Am I doing enough?”

In Romans 4, the Apostle Paul uses the example of Abraham to show that righteousness is not earned by good deeds or worlds, but is credited through faith.  Abraham was declared righteous because he trusted and believed God’s promises, even before the Law was given.  If righteousness were earned, one would have something to boast about, but God’s way is count people as righteous through their faith in Him who forgives sinners.

FINDING FREEDOM FROM PERFORMANCE-BASED LIVING

1. Saved by Faith, Not by Works:  Our good works (quiet time, church attendance, serving) should be a response to God’s grace, not a requirement for it.  True faith trusts God’s promises more than one’s performance.

2.  Received by Faith, Not by Race or Religion:  God’s promises are for everyone who believes, and faith is about the heart, not heritage.  Faith levels the playing field and eliminates all cultural or ethnic barriers; the Church is a family of faith people, not perfect people.

3.  Seen by Faith, Not by Situation:  Faith doesn’t deny a situation, but declares that the situation is not the final say.  Abraham exemplified this by trusting God with his security, family and future, being “fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises.”  The encouragement is:  Don’t let what you see make you forget what God said.

Are you still trying to earn God’s love?  God counted Abraham as righteous for our benefit too, assuring us that God will also count us as righteous if we believe in the one who raised Jesus from the dead.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. What does it mean to have a “performance-based faith?”  Have you ever felt pressure to “perform” in your faith?
2. How can you practically check your motivation before engaging spiritual disciplines like quiet time, church attendance, and serving in ministry?  How can you make sure that your actions are in response to your faith and not a requirement for faith?
3. In what ways does saying you’ve been a Christian all your life prevent a person from developing a genuine, active faith that is about the heart?
4. What are the biggest financial, career, or relational situations in your life right now that challenge your trust in God’s promises?  How can knowing God’s promises from the Bible help you declare that your situation is not the final say?
5. In what area of your life or faith journey is it hardest for you to give up control and simply trust God?

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