What's the Difference Between Believing God and Believing in God?

B21L7 Romans 4 reveals something most people miss: Abraham was justified by faith alone — before circumcision, before the Law, and before any religious works. What does that mean for us today? ✝️ In this verse-by-verse study through Romans 4, we dig into Paul's use of Abraham as the ultimate example of justification by faith. Paul asks the question: if Abraham was justified by works, he could boast — but not before God. Then comes the key distinction that changes everything: Abraham "believed God," not merely "believed in God." That one preposition is the difference between heaven and hell. We cross-reference Job 38, where God silences Job's self-confidence with "Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?" — showing that no man, however righteous, can stand before God on his own merit. We then travel to Joshua 24:2 to confirm that Abraham came from an idolatrous family in Ur of the Chaldees, making God's grace in calling him all the more remarkable. Back in Romans 4:3-5, Paul drives home that God imputes righteousness to the one who simply believes — and that He justifies the ungodly, not the self-sufficient. 📖 Key Topics Covered: • Romans 4:1-5 explained — Abraham justified by faith, not works • "Believed God" vs. "believed in God" — the difference between heaven and hell • Job 38:1-6 — God silences human boasting with creation's unanswerable questions • Joshua 24:2 — Abraham was an idolater before God called him by grace • Genesis 12:1 — God's call to Abraham to leave his idolatrous family • Romans 4:4-5 — why works put God in debt, and why that's impossible • God justifies the ungodly — what "ungodly" really means • The lifeguard analogy — why God waits for the cry of faith 🔑 Romans 4 justification by faith, Abraham believed God righteousness, faith vs works salvation, imputed righteousness Bible, Romans 4:3 explained, what does it mean to believe God, justification by faith alone, grace not works salvation, Abraham idolater Joshua 24. 💡 Les Feldick Bible Study brings you verse-by-verse Bible teaching that makes the scriptures come alive. Whether you're a new believer or have studied the Bible for decades, these teachings will deepen your understanding of God's Word. Les Feldick has a unique gift for explaining complex biblical concepts in a way that anyone can understand, using scripture to interpret scripture. 📖 Visit our website: www.lesfeldickbiblestudy.com If this study blessed you, please LIKE the video and SHARE it with someone who needs to hear this teaching. Your likes and shares help others find these Bible studies. 00:00 — Welcome & Introduction to Romans 4 00:33 — Who We Are — Independent, Non-Denominational Bible Teaching 01:24 — Why Paul Uses Abraham — The Ultimate Example of Justification 02:19 — Romans 4:1 — What Did Abraham Find as Pertaining to the Flesh? 03:51 — What Was Abraham by Birth? He Was a Syrian, Not a Jew 05:13 — Romans 4:2 — If Abraham Were Justified by Works, He Could Boast 06:33 — Cross-Reference: Job 38 — God Silences Human Boasting 07:55 — Job 38:3-6 — "Where Were You When I Laid the Foundations of the Earth?" 09:48 — Back to Romans 4 — Abraham Had Nothing to Boast Before God 10:12 — Romans 4:3 — "What Saith the Scripture?" — The Authority of God's Word 11:01 — Galatians 4:30 — "What Saith the Scripture?" Used Again by Paul 13:57 — Abraham Believed God — The Key Distinction That Changes Everything 14:25 — Believing God vs. Believing in God — The Difference Between Heaven and Hell 15:57 — Abraham Was a Pagan Idolater — Cross-Reference to Joshua 24:2 18:28 — Genesis 12:1 — God in Grace Reaches Down to Abraham in Ur 19:33 — Back to Romans 4 — Salvation Is Simple Yet Profound 20:08 — Christ Died for Every Individual — What Personal Salvation Means 21:07 — Romans 4:3 — Abraham Believed God and It Was Counted as Righteousness 22:09 — Romans 4:4 — Works Put God in Debt — Why That's Impossible 23:53 — Romans 4:5 — God Justifies the Ungodly Who Believe 24:10 — What Does "Ungodly" Really Mean? Without God 24:32 — The Lifeguard Analogy — God Waits for the Cry of Faith 27:33 — Closing