More talk with God from Romans 4-5

4 This life of justification by a living faith that proceeds forward in works consistent with that faith is the story of the patriarch Abraham. Our faith is counted to us as righteousness apart from any of the works that we do. This does not mean that we don’t have to do works. Of course not. Real living faith will move forward in works, but those works are far from perfect, and they do not give us our legal standing. We need to trust in Your promise to us of the resurrection age to come. We believe in You. We are fully convinced that You are able to do what You have promised. We believe in the One who raised Jesus from the dead. He was delivered up for our trespasses and was raised for our justification.

5 Since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with You through Christ. We also have access through Him to much grace, and we rejoice in this future hope of resurrection glory that He has secured for us. Because of the greatness and the certainty of that future age of glory, we are even able to rejoice in our present sufferings, because we know that You are using those sufferings to produce endurance, character, and more hope in us. Our hope in the resurrection age will not be disappointed, because You have placed within us a vital part of the life of resurrection by pouring the Holy Spirit into our souls. Your Son died for the ungodly. Our justification is not based on our goodness. We have received reconciliation through Christ. We are connected to the world of resurrection through the one Man who won for us justification. Through Adam, death has reigned in this world, leading to condemnation for all men. But now, through faith in Christ, the free gift of righteousness will reign through eternal life for all who are united to Him. In this world sin has reigned in death because of Adam. But now, and forever and completely in the resurrection age, grace reigns through the righteousness that is through Jesus Christ our Lord.