Romans 2–5. Faith, Grace, and Works

Faith, grace, and good works all play a part in our salvation. As you read Romans 2–5, fill in the following chart with statements from the verses that help you understand these topics; record the verses where you found your responses:

Chapter:Verse	Faith and Grace	Good Works
2:7		Patient, continuance in well doing seek for glory and honor and eternal life
2:10		Glory, honor, and peace to every man that worketh good
2:13		Doers of the law
2:16	Judge the secrets of man by Jesus Christ according to my gospel
2:25		Keep the law
3:4	That thou mightest be justified
3:22	The righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all that believe
3:24	Being justified freely by his grace
3:28	Man is justified by faith
4:13	Righteousness of faith
4:16	Justified of faith through grace	Justified of good works through grace
4:20		Be strong in faith, giving glory to God
4:20-25	Believe on him, who was delivered for our offences
5:1	Being justified by faith, we have peace with God
5:3		We glory in tribulation, knowing that tribulation worketh patience
5:18		By righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification
5:20	Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound
5:21	Grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ

Why do you think Paul chose Abraham as a model of faith? (see Romans 4:17–25).

For one thing, Abraham is the model of faith. He came from a time when there was no distinction between Jew and Gentile, there were just one nations, and his was the nation of Abraham. He had a personal relationship with God, we read in Romans 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. Abraham gave all the glory to our Father in Heaven, why would one not want to emulate this man?

How does Romans 4:19–22 apply to your life? 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: 20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; 21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. 22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.

As a member of the LDS church, I have the responsibility to never waiver in my faith. No matter what my age, I must share the gospel with those that I meet. Like Abraham, I must draw strength from our Father in Heaven, while at the same time giving Him all the glory. No matter what is thrown at me in this secular world, no matter who tells me that God is not real or does not exist, I will remain faithful. Because Heavenly Father has faith in me to keep His covenants and commandments. When I do these things, I will be blessed and He will find joy in my righteous choices.

Review Romans 5:12–14. In what ways did Adam’s Fall affect each of us? How did Paul answer the question of why a Savior is needed for all mankind? 12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: 13 (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.

Adam’s Fall affected us by allowing us to die in sin. But between Adam and Moses there was not really a law, which is why it is called ‘death.’ Without the Fall, we would not have known sin or opposition, but we would not have had the opportunity to choose. We must have the ability to choose between right and wrong, to have free agency, this is important in our growth here on earth. Paul answered with that through the love of our Father in Heaven, the transgressions of Adam were forgiven through the grace of Jesus Christ and His Atonement.

Considering what you have studied about faith, grace, and good works, why is 2 Nephi 25:23 so helpful in understanding their relationship? 23 For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.

When we have faith in the power of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, and realize the link between faith, grace, and good works, then by grace we will be saved.